South Korea’s Constitutional Court has officially started reviewing the impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol over his alleged attempt to impose martial law on December 3. This significant move marks the beginning of a process that could lead to his removal from office.
The court’s six justices convened and announced that the first public hearing would take place on December 27. According to court spokesperson Lee Jean, the initial session will be preparatory, aiming to confirm major legal issues and schedule future proceedings. President Yoon is not required to attend this hearing.
The impeachment was passed by the opposition-controlled parliament on Saturday, accusing President Yoon and several senior officials of insurrection connected to the brief imposition of martial law. A joint investigation team comprising police, the defense ministry, and an anti-corruption agency plans to question Yoon at 10 a.m. on Wednesday.
Efforts to serve a summons to President Yoon have faced obstacles. Investigators attempted to deliver the notice to the presidential office and his official residence, but the presidential security service declined to receive it, citing procedural reasons.
President Yoon did not appear for questioning on Sunday in response to a separate investigation by the prosecutors’ office. He stated that he was still assembling his legal defense team.
The Constitutional Court has up to six months to decide whether to remove President Yoon from office or reinstate him. In a similar case in 2017, the court took three months to remove then-President Park Geun-hye following her impeachment over abuse of power.
The unfolding events have captured the attention of South Koreans and international observers alike, as the nation navigates this critical period in its democratic process.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
