"Problems Arise from Delayed Constitutional Court Ruling,
Rushed Impeachment, and Term Extension Law"
Former Supreme Council Member of the People Power Party, Kim Jaewon, stated, "There is speculation that Acting Chief Justice Moon Hyung-bae of the Constitutional Court will complete his term and leave because he does not want to issue a dismissal ruling with his own hands," adding, "If such a thing happens, Justice Moon will become a historical sinner." He was referring to some opinions suggesting that Acting Chief Justice Moon might finish his term on the 18th without delivering a conclusion on President Yoon Seok-yeol's impeachment trial.
On the 1st, during SBS Radio's 'Kim Taehyun's Political Show,' former Supreme Council Member Kim said, "The trial should have been conducted steadily from the beginning to avoid such controversies," and added, "If the trial was rushed and now, at this point, the verdict is not delivered and he leaves, it would be a clear case of dereliction of duty."
Regarding the criticism that the Constitutional Court's deliberation on President Yoon's impeachment trial is being prolonged, he responded, "I believe there are disagreements about the acceptance of evidence and related matters," but said, "However, it is appropriate to deliver the verdict in the current state." Former Supreme Council Member Kim remarked, "Isn't it that they disagree because they fear an undesired conclusion?" and added, "Constitutional Court justices do not have to reach consensus or coordinate opinions. They should not count numbers like 5 to 3 or 4 to 4 and make decisions based on that."
He further stated, "The impeachment trial process of President Yoon was an illegal and irregular process," and claimed, "They said they would expedite the impeachment trial and quickly proceeded with the arguments, but now they cannot deliver the verdict. That means something unexpected has occurred."
He continued, "Our party insisted that the trial be conducted according to the law, properly, and that the opinions of the parties involved be properly heard, but wasn't that ignored?" and added, "While the Constitutional Court delayed the verdict, discussions began about the impeachment of Prime Minister Han Duck-soo as Acting President, followed by talks of a collective impeachment, the appointment of Constitutional Court nominee Ma Eun-hyuk, and issues regarding the extension of terms for Acting Chief Justice Moon and Justice Lee Mi-seon."
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