Longest Deliberation in History for Yoon's Impeachment Trial
No Comments from the Constitutional Court on Ruling Date
Contrary to Expectations, Ruling Date Set First for Audit Board Chief and Prosecutors
Speculation Grows That Ruling May Be Delayed Beyond This Week
The 11th marks the 14th day since the Constitutional Court concluded the oral arguments in the impeachment trial of President Yoon Seok-yeol. Considering that the impeachment trial of former President Roh Moo-hyun was decided 14 days after the conclusion of oral arguments, and that of former President Park Geun-hye was decided 11 days after, the Constitutional Court is taking the longest deliberation period for President Yoon's impeachment ruling.
On this day, the Constitutional Court announced that the ruling on the impeachment trial of three prosecutors, including Choi Jae-hae, Chairman of the Board of Audit and Inspection, and Lee Chang-soo, Chief Prosecutor of the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office, will be delivered at 10 a.m. on the 13th. The ruling schedule for Prime Minister Han Duck-soo's impeachment trial, whose oral arguments concluded before President Yoon's, has yet to be announced. This is evidence of the Constitutional Court's deepening deliberation over President Yoon's ruling. Compared to previous cases where the ruling date was notified to the parties 2-3 days in advance and made public, there is even speculation that the ruling might be delayed beyond this week. The impeachment rulings for former Presidents Roh Moo-hyun and Park Geun-hye were both delivered on Fridays. Accordingly, there was a strong expectation that President Yoon's impeachment ruling would be announced on the 14th. However, the Constitutional Court has yet to make any specific statements regarding the 'ruling.'
As a result, various unconfirmed rumors are circulating around the Constitutional Court. It is said that due to the court's cancellation of President Yoon's detention, the justices are repeatedly deliberating, and the ruling might only be made around the end of March, making it difficult to predict whether the impeachment will be dismissed or upheld.
Inside and outside the political sphere, there are talks that President Yoon's side is weighing the pros and cons of requesting a resumption of oral arguments. With the release of an audio recording containing evidence that the opposition party tried to coax and threaten former Special Forces Commander Kwak Jong-geun, President Yoon's side might request to resume oral arguments to submit the recording as additional evidence. However, this also involves complex factors. If the impeachment trial is prolonged, the appointment of judicial candidate Ma Eun-hyuk could open the possibility for him to participate in the impeachment trial.
Meanwhile, the terms of Acting Chief Justice Moon Hyung-bae and Justice Lee Mi-seon of the Constitutional Court will end on April 18.
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