Final Decision on Impeachment Procedure

The Constitutional Court disclosed on March 16 that they collected their inside opinions on the “hearing procedure” of the impeachment trial against President Roh Moo-hyun to a certain degree, and that they are planning to make a final decision through the conference of Constitutional Court judges.

Chief Judge Joo Sun-hoi said this day that they gathered and examined many related materials, including the precedents and theories of impeachment trial at home and abroad, and they will conclude the procedure and method of the hearing by March 17.

The Constitutional Court is expected to discuss extensively the dates and hearing methods, including President Roh’s summons, in the March 18 conference.

In the process of oral proceedings, President Roh may be summoned before the court, but the summons will be minimized for the rapid hearing. And if the procurator team for President Roh is organized, the Constitutional Court is planning to examine the problem.

The Constitutional Court is also planning a rapid and peaceful trial by arranging in advance the issues of a hearing process through the conference.

Meanwhile, in connection with the problem that a part of the political world now raises other reasons for the President Roh’s impeachment, Yun Young-chul, head of the Constitutional Court, said that “he cannot reveal the contents related with the hearing, and will have to examine it.”

In addition, in relation to Justice Minister Kang kum-sil’s remark that the impeachment against President Roh has to be dismissed, Yun responded, “There is no provision for that, and he doesn’t know it well politically and legally.”

Sang-Rok Lee myzodan@donga.com