Ruling on Han Deok-soo's Impeachment on the 24th... Conclusion Before Yoon

Constitutional Court Sets Ruling Date 87 Days After Han's Suspension

To Minimize National Confusion

Seems to Confirm Han's Status Before Yoon's Ruling

Ruling on Han's 'Martial Law Collusion' Charges

Could Be a Precedent for Yoon's Case

Lee Jae-myung's Election Law Appeal Verdict on the 26th

Yoon's Verdict Expected Late Next Week at the Earliest

The Constitutional Court will decide on the dismissal of Prime Minister Han Deok-soo (pictured) on the 24th. The decision on Han's case will precede the impeachment trial of President Yoon Seok-yeol. The court's judgment on the reasons for Han's impeachment could serve as a precedent for President Yoon's case.

Next week, a turbulent 'super week' is expected with President Yoon's criminal trial for leading an insurrection and the appeal trial for Lee Jae-myung, a prominent presidential candidate from the Democratic Party, for violating the Public Official Election Act.

Conclusion Before Yoon... New Phase in Impeachment Politics

The Constitutional Court announced on the 20th that it will deliver the ruling on Han's impeachment case at around 10 a.m. on the 24th in the main courtroom. It has been 87 days since Han was suspended following his impeachment on December 27 last year. The hearings concluded early on the 19th of last month.

The National Assembly listed five reasons for Han's impeachment, including colluding, condoning, and aiding President Yoon's declaration of martial law, refusing to appoint a constitutional judge as acting president, and avoiding the appointment process of a special prosecutor for insurrection. The legal community widely believes that Han's impeachment is likely to be dismissed. If predictions hold, Han will return to his duties immediately upon the court's ruling.

There were speculations that the conclusions of President Yoon and Han's impeachment cases would be announced on the same day, but the court has prioritized Han's ruling date separately. This is interpreted as a measure to minimize confusion in state affairs. The logic is that Han's status must be confirmed before deciding on President Yoon's dismissal to ensure smooth acting duties in case of a presidential vacancy. However, the possibility of the court dismissing or rejecting President Yoon's case cannot be ruled out.

If Han returns to his role as acting president, the appointment of Ma Eun-hyeok as a constitutional judge candidate could accelerate. The court ruled on the 27th of last month that acting President Choi Sang-mok's failure to appoint Ma was unconstitutional, infringing on the National Assembly's right to form the court, but Choi has not complied with the court's decision as of today. Many analysts believe this is in anticipation of Han's return.

The Democratic Party, which recommended Ma, is expected to press Han more strongly for the appointment. However, Han may also delay Ma's appointment to expedite President Yoon's case.

Yoon's Criminal Trial, Lee's Appeal Verdict in Sequence

President Yoon's impeachment trial has not yet been scheduled for a ruling as of the 24th day since the hearings concluded on the 25th of last month. The expectation that a conclusion would follow within two weeks of the hearing's end has been completely off, but the practice of setting the date 2-3 days before the ruling is likely to continue. This is to allow time for security around the court, protection of judges, and school closures nearby. By the 23rd, it will have been over 100 days since President Yoon's case was filed with the court on December 14 last year.

Monday (24th), when Han's impeachment ruling and President Yoon's criminal trial for insurrection are scheduled, or Wednesday (26th), when Lee Jae-myung's appeal verdict for violating the Public Official Election Act is scheduled, are likely to be excluded as ruling dates for President Yoon's impeachment trial. Based on precedent, Friday (28th) is considered likely by the legal community.

There is also interest in whether President Yoon will appear in court for his insurrection trial next week. The 25th Criminal Division of the Seoul Central District Court (Presiding Judge Ji Gwi-yeon) will hold the second pre-trial hearing for President Yoon at around 10 a.m. on the 24th. Attention is focused on whether President Yoon's case will be merged with those of former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun and other military officials related to martial law. If President Yoon, who attended the first hearing on the 20th of last month, appears again, it will be his first official appearance since his release on the 8th. Yoon's attorney, Yoon Gap-geun, stated that no decision has been made regarding President Yoon's attendance at the trial.

Reporters: Jang Seo-woo / Heo Ran suwu@hankyung.com