Seoul, South Korea – The Constitutional Court of South Korea concluded its final hearing in the impeachment trial of President Yoon Suk-yeol on February 25th, marking the end of a three-month-long process of arguments and evidence presentation. The decision on whether to uphold or reject the impeachment is expected to be delivered in mid-March.
The hearing, the eleventh session in the impeachment trial, commenced at 2:00 PM KST at the Constitutional Court in Jongno-gu, Seoul, and lasted approximately eight hours. The court first verified the submitted evidence before hearing comprehensive arguments from both the prosecution (the National Assembly’s impeachment committee) and the defense (President Yoon’s legal team).
The final statements began around 8:06 PM KST, with Rep. Chung Cheong-rae, head of the National Assembly’s impeachment committee and chairman of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, presenting the case for impeachment. President Yoon Suk-yeol then delivered his final statement in his defense.
Following President Yoon’s statement, acting Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court, Moon Hyung-bae, officially declared the end of the debate process at approximately 10:14 PM KST. He stated that the judges would deliberate on the case and announce the date for the final verdict in due course.
The impeachment proceedings against President Yoon were initiated by the National Assembly, primarily related to allegations of abuse of power and dereliction of duty. The court’s decision will have significant implications for the future of South Korean politics and the stability of the government.
The Constitutional Court now faces the weighty task of reviewing the extensive evidence and arguments presented by both sides. The decision will require a meticulous examination of the legal and constitutional issues at stake. A ruling to uphold the impeachment would result in President Yoon’s immediate removal from office, while a rejection would allow him to continue serving his term.
The outcome of this trial is being closely watched both domestically and internationally, as it will undoubtedly shape the political landscape of South Korea and its relationship with the world. The announcement of the verdict date is eagerly anticipated.
References:
- Yonhap News Agency. (2024, February 26). 尹锡悦弹劾案庭审结束 或3月中旬宣判 [Impeachment Trial of Yoon Suk-yeol Concludes, Verdict Expected in Mid-March]. Retrieved from [Insert original URL from the article]
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