Impeachment Hearing Yoon's Last Stand?

Impeachment Hearing Yoon's Last Stand?

As South Korea's ousted President Yoon Seok Yeol faces his final impeachment hearing at Seoul's Constitutional Court, the stakes have never been higher. The former prosecutor has maintained a defiant tone throughout the hearings, attributing his failed martial law bid to a malicious opposition.

Background

In December, Yoon attempted to suspend civilian rule and impose martial law, but this move was short-lived as the opposition-led parliament voted down the declaration after just six hours. His subsequent impeachment led to his detention last month on insurrection charges, making him the first sitting South Korean head of state to be arrested.

The Hearing

Thursday's hearing is set to hear testimony from key witnesses, including the former chief of South Korea's intelligence service and a head of Seoul's Capital Defence Command, the military unit dispatched to the parliament during the brief martial law attempt. It is widely anticipated that this will be Yoon's last hearing before the court's judges go into deliberation to determine whether to uphold his impeachment.

Expert Opinion

According to Kim Hyun-jung, a researcher at the Korea University Institute of Law, Many legal scholars and experts agree that a unanimous ruling in favor of impeachment will be made by the Constitutional Court judges. However, experts also caution that political maneuvering could delay the trial, with prominent conservative supporters of Yoon calling for additional hearings.

Consequences

If the court upholds the impeachment, an election must be held within 60 days to choose a new president. Much of Yoon's impeachment trial has centered on the question of whether he violated the constitution by declaring martial law, which is reserved for national emergencies or times of war. Yoon's lawyers argue that his declaration was an act of governance and cannot be subject to judicial review.

Next Steps

Yoon also faces a criminal trial on insurrection charges, carrying a potential prison sentence or the death penalty. The hearing on Thursday marks the final stage of the impeachment process before the court's judges make their decision. Will Yoon's defiance pay off, or will he be removed from office? Only time will tell.

Key Takeaways

Yoon faces his final impeachment hearing at Seoul's Constitutional Court
The hearing will hear testimony from key witnesses, including the former chief of South Korea's intelligence service and a head of Seoul's Capital Defence Command
Experts predict a unanimous ruling in favor of impeachment
If upheld, an election must be held within 60 days to choose a new president

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