(2nd LD) Constitutional Court begins first preparatory hearing of Yoon's impeachment trial

▲ The Constitutional Court in Seoul on Dec. 26, 2024 (Yonhap)

(2nd LD) impeachment trial-first hearing

(2nd LD) Constitutional Court begins first preparatory hearing of Yoon's impeachment trial

(ATTN: UPDATES throughout with latest details; AMENDS headline)

By Lee Haye-ah and Chae Yun-hwan

SEOUL, Dec. 27 (Yonhap) -- The Constitutional Court began the first preparatory hearing Friday of a trial on the validity of President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment by the National Assembly over his brief imposition of martial law.

The hearing got under way at about 2 p.m., bringing together the legal representatives of both Yoon and the National Assembly to lay out their cases, present their list of witnesses and evidence, and coordinate the dates of future proceedings.

Justices Lee Mi-son and Cheong Hyung-sik, the assigned judges for the preparatory proceedings, will preside over the hearing.

Until Friday morning, Yoon had refused to accept documents related to his trial and failed to appoint a legal defense team to handle the case.

With only hours to go, however, his representatives announced the appointment of a team comprised of lawyers Bae Bo-yoon, Yun Gap-geun and Bae Jin-han. Bae Bo-yoon was a Constitutional Court spokesperson during the impeachment trial of former President Geun-hye.

The lawyers attended the preparatory hearing after submitting a notice of appointment.

Meanwhile, the National Assembly will be represented by former Constitutional Court Justice Kim Yi-su and former National Human Rights Commission Chairman Song Doo-hwan, among others.

Yoon has denied charges he incited an insurrection by declaring martial law on Dec. 3, arguing it was an "act of governance" and a warning against what he described as an abuse of legislative power by the main opposition Democratic Party.

Yoon has also ignored repeated summonses by a joint investigation team to appear for questioning on the insurrection charges.

The court has 180 days to decide whether to uphold or dismiss the impeachment from the day it received the case on Dec. 14.

If the impeachment is upheld, Yoon will be removed from office, triggering a snap presidential election within 60 days. If it is dismissed, Yoon will be reinstated.

A lawyer close to Yoon earlier said the president could personally state his case in court.

Friday's hearing will be open to the public but will not be broadcast live.

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