**[Impeachment Proceedings]**
– Evidence Submission Without Opinion Sheet Rejected
– Constitutional Court Reaffirms “6-Person Deliberation and Argument Possible”
– Yoon’s Side to Release Consolidated Position After the 25th
President Yoon Suk-yeol did not submit materials related to martial law, such as cabinet meeting minutes and martial law proclamations, to the Constitutional Court by the deadline of the 24th. This follows his earlier refusal to accept documents from the Constitutional Court regarding the impeachment trial. If Yoon continues to refuse to submit evidence that only requires submission without an opinion sheet, criticism that he is “delaying proceedings to stall the trial” is likely to grow.
On the 17th, the Constitutional Court requested the submission of documents, including the minutes of the cabinet meeting related to martial law and the first martial law proclamation, by the 24th. Yoon’s side previously refused to receive impeachment trial documents sent by the Constitutional Court at least 11 times, and the court decided to consider them as delivered with the consent of all judges. Seok Dong-hyun, a lawyer involved in forming Yoon’s legal defense, told reporters that a consolidated position would be presented by the President and his legal team after Christmas (the 25th), and he insisted that the President was not trying to evade, disregard, or refuse the process.
Yoon’s side has yet to appoint a legal representative for the impeachment trial. On the other hand, six law firms representing the National Assembly, the petitioner of the impeachment, have submitted powers of attorney to the Constitutional Court.
The Constitutional Court plans to proceed with the first preparatory hearing for the impeachment trial on the 27th, regardless of whether Yoon’s side appoints a representative or submits the requested materials. Even if Yoon’s side does not attend, the court might proceed with the preparatory hearing. Judge Kim Hyung-doo mentioned that, according to the law, the related procedures would be concluded if the party is absent, but the proceedings could continue if deemed appropriate by the judges.
The Constitutional Court reiterated that the impeachment trial deliberation and arguments are possible even with three out of nine judges vacant. On this day, Lee Jin, the court spokesperson, stated, “Deliberation and arguments are possible with six judges.” Earlier in the morning, lawyer Seok raised questions about whether a full-fledged trial could proceed with a six-judge system, but the Constitutional Court dismissed these concerns. The legal community anticipates that after the preparation procedures are completed, formal trial dates could be set as early as mid-January, at which point the confrontation between Yoon’s side and the National Assembly is expected to intensify.