Seoul: South Korea’s Constitutional Court will hold the first preparatory hearing on the parliamentary impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol on December 27, the Yonhap news agency reported on Monday, citing court papers.
The parliament voted 204-85 on Saturday to impeach Yoon over his controversial declaration of martial law. The Constitutional Court will have 180 days to consider the matter. Yoon will be suspended from office, pending the ruling, with Prime Minister Han Duck-soo serving as interim president until the final verdict is passed.
The court’s first meeting on Monday reportedly focused on future proceedings, including the dates of hearings. The court is in the process of delivering a copy of the request of adjudication for Yoon’s impeachment to him and requesting his response, although he is not obliged to make one.
The preparatory hearing and the subsequent proceedings will be open to the public. Yoon is required to attend the hearings, however, this requirement does not include the December 27 preparatory hearing.
If the court upholds the parliament’s decision, Yoon will become South Korea’s second president to be successfully impeached. An early presidential election would then be held within 60 days.
UNI