Final Fine-Tuning of Impeachment Decision

The Constitutional Court examined its final decision on the impeachment against President Roh Moo-hyun and finished fine-tuning on whether or not to state a minority opinion on May 12.

Chief Judge Joo Sun-hoi said, “We examined thoroughly and discussed many times if we have to open a minority opinion to the public. It is true, however, that some judges disagree with each other. In this process, political issues and each judge’s personal danger were out of our consideration. We approach the matter as a purely jurisprudential issue.”

The Court explained that if the minority opinion is included, the order of the judgment will be: the explanation of the presiding judge about this impeachment issue, the majority opinion, the minority opinion, and the text reading.

However, if not, the presiding judge will explain the issue, the Chief Judge will describe the reason of the judges’ decision, and then the text will be sentenced.

“We cannot say clearly how long it will take for the sentence and what will be the manner of the judgement because it will be up to judges’ statements,” said an official from the Constitutional Court.

The Court received applications through the Internet for the open hearing of May 14. It will distribute tickets to 60 people that day after electronically drawing lots.

Sang-Rok Lee myzodan@donga.com