Yoon's Side: "Impeachment Process Should Take Priority Over Investigation... Related Preparations Needed"

by Lee Gwanju

Published 23 Dec.2024 16:47(KST)

Updated 24 Dec.2024 10:55(KST)

Lawyer Seok Dong-hyun: "Impeachment motion not even 10 days"

Regarding the ‘December 3 Emergency Martial Law Incident,’ the side of President Yoon Seok-yeol, who is facing a Constitutional Court impeachment trial and investigation, stated that “the impeachment trial procedure should take precedence.”

Seok Dong-hyun, a lawyer who is a classmate from Seoul National University Law School and a 40-year close friend of President Yoon Suk-yeol, met with reporters in front of the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office building on the 19th to express his stance on the investigation into President Yoon's alleged charges of insurrection and the impeachment trial. Photo by Heo Young-han

On the afternoon of the 23rd, Seok Dong-hyun, a lawyer involved in forming President Yoon’s defense team, told reporters, “If emergency martial law is the main subject of the investigation, the president would need to address the overall state of government dysfunction, but it is questionable whether the investigative agencies are prepared for that,” expressing this view.

Regarding the Constitutional Court’s announcement that documents related to the impeachment trial against President Yoon have been deemed delivered via registered mail and that the first preparatory hearing will be held on the 27th, he said, “I cannot say which is correct or right,” adding, “I think this is a matter for the presidential defense team to be assigned soon.”

He further stated, “It has been less than 10 days since the impeachment was proposed,” and added, “In the trial, it is necessary to immediately determine whether impeachment is warranted. From the president’s perspective, beyond simply forming a defense team, it is essential to establish the logic together and prepare various responses to the impeachment trial, including sufficient communication and mutual understanding.”

He continued, “The president, as a party to the trial procedure that could have a significant impact on the nation’s future in any form and serve as a touchstone in the constitutional system going forward, needs to make related preparations.”