Park Beom-gye: 'President Yoon's impeachment verdict expected on March 4th... anticipating 8-0 unanimous decision'

Korea Economic Daily

Summary

Rep. Park Beom-gye expects President Yoon's impeachment verdict on March 4th, cautiously predicting an 8-0 unanimous decision to uphold.
The Constitutional Court will soon decide on additional witness examinations, and if no additional schedules are set, will proceed to justice deliberations.
The defense team's unclear principles and strategies during the trial process were noted as potentially causing confusion for investors.

"Justices Kim Hyung-doo and Jung Hyung-sik expected to uphold impeachment"

Democratic Party Representative Park Beom-gye, former Minister of Justice under the Moon Jae-in administration, stated on the 14th regarding President Yoon Suk-yeol's Constitutional Court impeachment trial that "the verdict date will be March 4th" and "cautiously predicts all eight Constitutional Court justices will uphold the impeachment."

Speaking on MBC Radio, Rep. Park said, "After witness examinations and final statements on the 18th, with a possible additional session on the 20th, followed by verdict writing and deliberations (the process where justices discuss and vote on key points), it will take about ten days. Given the holidays at the end of February, the verdict will likely be on March 4th."

The Constitutional Court designated the 18th as the 9th pleading date. President Yoon's side has requested six additional witnesses, including Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and Police Commissioner Cho Ji-ho, from the 10th until today. The Court will decide on witness selection through deliberation today. If no additional witness examination dates are set and pleading procedures conclude, the Court will begin discussions for the verdict.

Rep. Park claimed, "While this is the Constitutional Court justices' duty, as an impeachment prosecutor, I cautiously predict an '8-0' decision to uphold." He explained, "Though Justices Kim Hyung-doo and Jung Hyung-sik, who effectively led the pleading during witness examinations, are considered conservative, they initiated questioning about Director Cho Sung-hyun and have been leading the impeachment trial."

Regarding President Yoon's defense team's overall strategy, he noted "their principles and strategies have been inconsistent." Park added, "The respondent Yoon Suk-yeol lacked clear principles regarding the explanation of martial law reasons and background, and overall strategy after being impeached," suggesting "it seems like a strategy aimed at avoiding removal from office or severe punishment."

Bae Sung-soo baebae@hankyung.com