By Chung Hyun-chae
The Constitutional Court is speeding up proceedings toward a ruling on the impeachment motion for President Park Geun-hye by wrapping up three rounds of preparatory hearings, Friday.
It will hold the first and second official hearings on the case on Jan. 3 and Jan. 5, respectively, an unusually fast schedule for a constitutional ― or even civil or criminal ― case.
Political analysts interpret the timetable as reflecting the court's intention to make a swift ruling to minimize disorder in state affairs.
"We will review the case thoroughly according to transparent legal processes which people can accept, to make a fair and prompt decision," Constitutional Court President Park Han-chul said in his New Year speech.
According to legal sources, the court is likely to hold one or two hearings every week.
In 2004, the Constitutional Court held seven hearings on the nation's first presidential impeachment of former President Roh Moo-hyun, from March 30 to April 30.
The hearings may be broadcast live based on high public interest in the influence-peddling scandal involving President Park and her confidant Choi Soon-sil, just as the previous impeachment hearings for former President Roh were.
Some expect the court may be able to make its final ruling as early as January if hearings go as planned.
The three preparatory hearings ― on Dec. 22, 27 and 30 ― were also part of efforts to expedite the deliberation process.
In Friday's hearing, the court rejected the Assembly representatives' earlier request for the President to appear as a witness. To their request, Park's defense attorneys had said the President has no legal obligation to be present in court.
The court also decided to add more witnesses, previously deciding on three including Choi and two former presidential aides ― An Chong-bum and Jeong Ho-seong. The witnesses will be called in for the second hearings on Jan. 5.
The Constitutional Court is speeding up proceedings toward a ruling on the impeachment motion for President Park Geun-hye by wrapping up three rounds of preparatory hearings, Friday.
It will hold the first and second official hearings on the case on Jan. 3 and Jan. 5, respectively, an unusually fast schedule for a constitutional ― or even civil or criminal ― case.
Political analysts interpret the timetable as reflecting the court's intention to make a swift ruling to minimize disorder in state affairs.
"We will review the case thoroughly according to transparent legal processes which people can accept, to make a fair and prompt decision," Constitutional Court President Park Han-chul said in his New Year speech.
According to legal sources, the court is likely to hold one or two hearings every week.
In 2004, the Constitutional Court held seven hearings on the nation's first presidential impeachment of former President Roh Moo-hyun, from March 30 to April 30.
The hearings may be broadcast live based on high public interest in the influence-peddling scandal involving President Park and her confidant Choi Soon-sil, just as the previous impeachment hearings for former President Roh were.
Some expect the court may be able to make its final ruling as early as January if hearings go as planned.
The three preparatory hearings ― on Dec. 22, 27 and 30 ― were also part of efforts to expedite the deliberation process.
In Friday's hearing, the court rejected the Assembly representatives' earlier request for the President to appear as a witness. To their request, Park's defense attorneys had said the President has no legal obligation to be present in court.
The court also decided to add more witnesses, previously deciding on three including Choi and two former presidential aides ― An Chong-bum and Jeong Ho-seong. The witnesses will be called in for the second hearings on Jan. 5.
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