'4th Impeachment Trial Hearing' National Assembly Side: "Avoid Election Fraud Claims Aimed at Delaying Trial"

by Lim Chulyoung

Published 23 Jan.2025 14:16(KST)

Regarding the 'fraudulent election theory' claimed by President Yoon Seok-yeol's side as the background for the 'December 3 Emergency Martial Law Declaration,' the National Assembly side argued that the main purpose is to delay the Constitutional Court's impeachment trial.

President Yoon Suk-yeol attended the third hearing of his impeachment trial held on the afternoon of the 21st at the Grand Bench of the Constitutional Court in Jongno-gu, Seoul. As the Constitutional Court justices entered, the attendees stood up and then took their seats. 2025.01.21. Photo by Joint Press Corps

Kim Yi-su, a lawyer representing the National Assembly, stated before the 4th impeachment trial hearing on the 23rd, "If those who graduated from prestigious schools and are in the elite upper echelons of society claim election fraud, it is necessary to carefully examine the collective intentions of that group," adding, "If baseless election fraud claims are recklessly asserted in the courtroom, it is intended to delay the trial and undermine trust in the election." He further emphasized, "Such behavior should be properly restrained."

Song Doo-hwan, a lawyer for the National Assembly, claimed that actions aimed at undermining the authority of the judiciary continue. He said, "Some extremist forces are persistently attempting to undermine the authority of the judiciary and the Constitutional Court," and urged, "We call on President Yoon and his associates to stop inciting certain supporters to foster division and conflict, and to approach the impeachment trial with a responsible attitude."

Jeong Cheong-rae, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea and chairman of the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee, said, "Please pay attention to the testimony of former Minister of National Defense Kim Yong-hyun," adding, "Falsehoods will be revealed as false, and truths as truths."

Meanwhile, during the hearing, when asked whether President Yoon would speak directly, his side responded, "Nothing has been decided. He will come out and speak." The Constitutional Court plans to summon former Minister Kim as a witness in the 4th hearing to question him about the preparation process prior to the declaration of emergency martial law. President Yoon arrived at the Constitutional Court at around 12:47 p.m. by boarding the Ministry of Justice escort vehicle.