President Yoon: "Can't I directly question witness Cho Tae-yong?"... Constitutional Court "Denied"

Moon Hyung-bae, Acting Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court:
"Comprehensive deliberation concluded there is a risk of an unfair trial...
Please proceed through legal representatives"

On the 13th, President Yoon Suk-yeol requested to directly cross-examine National Intelligence Service Director Cho Tae-yong as a witness in the Constitutional Court impeachment trial, but the court rejected the request, citing concerns over an unfair trial.

President Yoon Suk-yeol is attending the 8th impeachment trial hearing held at the Constitutional Court in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 13th. February 13, 2025 Photo by Joint Press Corps

Moon Hyung-bae, Acting Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court, said during the 8th hearing of President Yoon's impeachment trial, "The respondent himself knows this part well. Please write down just one or two questions to ask directly," in response to President Yoon's side's request. Earlier, President Yoon's legal team was focusing their questions on Director Cho regarding the arrest memo written by former National Intelligence Service First Deputy Director Hong Jang-won.

President Yoon said, "This is not something to write down; I want to do it myself," and asked, "Is it stipulated that the respondent cannot ask questions directly?" Kim Gye-ri, a lawyer for President Yoon, also protested, asking, "What is the legal basis for this?"

In response, Acting Chief Justice Moon said, "After comprehensive deliberation, we concluded there was a risk of an unfair trial," adding, "Since the respondent holds the position of the highest national official of the intelligence service, he could exert influence over the witnesses under him." He further stated, "It was unanimously decided that it would be better to conduct the examination through legal representatives rather than direct questioning," and added, "If you wish to change this, please step outside, and we will discuss it again."