Acting Deputy Prime Minister Choi Sang-mok, even if Ma’s nomination is confirmed
Constitutional Court expected to conclude with current ‘8-member system’
Speedy ruling without renewed hearings likely,
Police are restricting access in front of the Constitutional Court on the 4th, ahead of the impeachment trial ruling for President Yoon Seok-youl. Yonhap News
, ‘ As the Constitutional Court is poised to deliver its ruling on the impeachment of President Yoon Seok-youl, attention is focused on whether the nominee Constitutional Court Justice Ma Eun-hyuk will join, as well as other variables that might affect the ruling date, such as past impeachment trials. ‘,
, ‘ If nominee Ma joins before the ruling date, it is customary to renew the hearing, but the Court has precedents where newly-joined justices did not participate in deliberations, and historically, impeachment trial rulings have been delivered on Fridays. ‘,
, ‘ According to legal circles on the 4th, Acting President Choi held a closed-door meeting with cabinet members to gather opinions on Ma’s nomination and its timing. ‘,
, ‘ On this day, it is reported that Choi refrained from commenting on his stance, which is interpreted as considering the potential disruption Ma’s appointment might cause to the impeachment trial schedule. ‘,
, ‘ However, the prevailing view in the legal community is that the impeachment ruling will conclude with the ‘8-member system’ even if Ma joins because there are several past cases where newly-joined justices did not participate in rulings. ‘,
, ‘ In reality, the Court proceeded with regular rulings on November 30, 2017, despite the inauguration of former Justice Yoo Nam-seok on the 11th of the same month. ‘,
, ‘ In December 2023, with the inauguration of Justice Jeong Hyung-sik, the nine-member system was restored, but three days later, the Court issued rulings on a competence dispute and constitutional complaints with the ‘8-member system’. ‘,
, ‘ Moreover, the Court has consistently emphasized ‘swift trials’, and through internal legal reviews, it is reported that the Court believes a renewed hearing is not necessary even if Ma joins. ‘,
, ‘ Within the legal community, there is an opinion that the Court can independently decide to proceed with only the 8 members without Ma. ‘,
, ‘ Lee Hwang-hee, a professor at Sungkyunkwan University’s Law School, stated, “Although it is a decision for the bench to make, I believe that quickly delivering a ruling would be more beneficial than renewing the hearing process.” ‘,
, ‘ Meanwhile, given the precedents of impeachment rulings for former Presidents Roh Moo-hyun and Park Geun-hye being delivered on Fridays, it is predicted that the ruling for President Yoon will also be on Friday, the 14th. ‘,
, ‘ Some speculated about the possibility of a ruling on the 7th, but for this, the Court would need to set and notify both sides of the ruling date, and it is planned to convene on the 7th to organize opinions on key issues. \n’]