The Constitutional Court of Korea on Thursday continued to call for a completion of a full bench at the nine-seat court, for a swift proceeding of President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment trial and other pending cases.
The court’s vice press officer Cheon Jae-hyun said that the court views that a vacancy at the court is still “unresolved.”
On Monday, acting President Choi Sang-mok deferred the appointment of Ma Eun-hyeok, one of two justice candidates nominated by the main opposition party, due to the lack of a bipartisan consensus on his appointment.
The court said that two new justices, Cho Han-chang and Jung Gye-seon, who were inaugurated on Thursday, have been immediately put to reviewing Yoon’s trial. The second preparatory hearing for his case is scheduled for Friday.
On Friday, legal representatives from both the National Assembly and Yoon’s side are set to attend at 2 p.m. to organize the key issues and coordinate schedules ahead of the formal trial proceedings. They will also discuss whether to approve 15 witnesses requested by the National Assembly.
Whether the third preparatory hearing is needed will be decided by two lead justices, the court said. Once the preparatory hearing concludes, the court is expected to begin its formal hearings of the trial from mid-January.
The court also said Thursday that it will swiftly look into a constitutional complaint filed by the lawyers’ association earlier this week.
The Lawyers for a Democratic Society, also known as Minbyun here, filed a constitutional complaint on Tuesday regarding the acting President Choi’s failure to appoint all three court justices.
The association argues that the acting President’s refusal to appoint the three candidates is unconstitutional, infringing on the rights of parties involved in pending impeachment cases at the court, as well as interrupts a fair and prompt trial as guaranteed by Article 27 of the Constitution.
Meanwhile on Thursday, two new justices Cho Han-chang and Jung Gye-seon emphasized the role and mission of the court during their inauguration ceremony.
“I will remain impartial, conduct trials independently and conscientiously in accordance with the Constitution and the law. I will also strive to reflect the demands of the times through flexible thinking, based on consideration and empathy,” Justice Cho said during the inauguration ceremony held in Jongno-gu, Seoul, Thursday.
Mentioning the latest accident at the Muan International Airport, the 60-year-old justice said the weight of public expectations for the court and the responsibility to uphold constitutional values “feel heavy and even daunting.”
Jung also underlined the court’s mission.
“The Constitutional Court’s mission to safeguard South Korea’s order and guarantee the fundamental rights of its citizens is heavier than ever. … We must carefully observe, listen broadly, and gather our wisdom to present the direction indicated by the Constitution,” the 56-year-old Justice said.
She also stressed the need to fill the vacancy at the nine-seat court.
“I thought there would be a third person (who would give an inauguration speech today), so I prepared a very short speech. I hope the one remaining vacancy at the court to be filled as soon as possible.”
Justice Cho, who is considered to have centrist and conservative leanings, graduated from Seoul National University and began his career as a judge in 1992. Having served key roles at the Supreme Court, Seoul High Court and Judicial Research and Training Institute, he resigned in 2021 and worked as a managing attorney at a law firm Doul.
Justice Jung, a graduate of Seoul National University’s law school, topped the 37th bar exam in 1995. Since starting as a junior judge in 1998, she has held various positions in courts nationwide and was appointed as Chief Judge of the Seoul Western District Court in 2022. She is known for her principled yet flexible approach and efforts to ensure efficient trials.
Both their terms will end on Dec. 31, 2030.
ddd@heraldcorp.com
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