[Controversy Over Impeachment Motion]
Constitutional Court Schedules Five Sessions from the 14th to the 16th
No Precedence of Direct Attendance by Former Presidents Roh Moo-hyun or Park Geun-hye
President Yoon Suk-yeol’s side has officially announced that he will personally attend the impeachment trial hearings of the Constitutional Court to express his views. Yoon’s legal representative, Yoon Gap-geun (former Daegu High Prosecutor), stated on the 5th, “The Constitutional Court has set five trial dates for the impeachment hearing of the president,” and added, “President Yoon plans to appear on the appropriate date to express his opinion.” Although Yoon’s side had previously indicated the president’s intention to attend the hearings, this is the first time they have confirmed his attendance officially.
The Constitutional Court had previously announced the conclusion of preparatory proceedings on the 3rd and will commence formal hearings starting from the 14th. Five trial dates have been arranged this month: the 14th, 16th, 21st, 23rd, and February 4th. There is speculation that President Yoon might personally attend the hearing on the 14th.
According to the Constitutional Court Act, parties must be present on the trial dates for impeachment proceedings. However, if the party does not appear, the court will conclude the session and set a new date, and if the party fails to appear a second time, the trial can proceed without them.
If President Yoon does attend the Constitutional Court, he will be the first president to do so in an impeachment trial. Former Presidents Roh Moo-hyun and Park Geun-hye did not attend their impeachment trials. Yoon’s side has maintained the stance that the authority to declare martial law lies solely with the president, arguing that the exercise of martial law declaration is not subject to judicial review as it is a “presidential political act.” If Yoon appears at the trial, he is likely to directly argue the process and legitimacy of his declaration of martial law on December 3, raising significant attention.