Hong Joon-pyo, the mayor of Daegu, addressed the Constitutional Court on the 7th, emphasizing that it should not forget its pride as the highest decision-making body tasked with upholding the Constitution. He expressed hope for a fair impeachment trial and judgment based on law and principles.
Through his Facebook, Mayor Hong stated that the resolution for impeachment is akin to a prosecutor’s indictment. He explained that when a prosecutor amends an indictment, they must consider the defendant’s right to defense and allow changes only within the scope that maintains the identity of the case. Beyond that, a dismissal of the charges is necessary.
Mayor Hong further commented that the core of President Yoon’s impeachment case is the rebellion charge, which allowed the impeachment motion to pass the National Assembly. Since the rebellion charge has been withdrawn from the impeachment proposal, he argued that the Constitutional Court should dismiss the impeachment as it deviates from the identity of the case. Additionally, he asserted that the impeachment of acting Prime Minister Han Deok-soo, who was implicated in the impeachment due to rebellion charges, should also be dismissed without further consideration.
He also mentioned that, during the Park Geun-hye impeachment, some withdrawals were controversial but were permissible as they fell within the identity of the case. He emphasized that Yoon’s impeachment motion is entirely different, involving the withdrawal of a fundamental core element. He urged that although the Constitutional Court may be seen as a political judicial body, it must not forget its pride as the highest decision-making body protecting the Constitution.