As President Yoon Suk-yeol's impeachment trial enters its final stages, the ruling party seems to be increasing pressure on the Constitutional Court. About 30 members of the People Power Party visited the Constitutional Court on the 17th to protest and engage in external public opinion battles. The party's think tank, the Yeouido Institute, held a discussion emphasizing 'judicial independence' aimed at the Constitutional Court. The party leadership dismissed criticisms that the visit by its members to the Constitutional Court constitutes 'judicial interference,' saying, 'we completely disagree with that.'

On the 17th, in front of the Constitutional Court in Jongno District, Seoul, members of the ruling party, including Kim Gi-hyun, Na Kyung-won, and Yoon Sang-hyun of the People Power Party, hold a press conference ahead of their meeting with the Secretary-General of the Constitutional Court to call for at least the guarantee of the right to defense and to condemn unfairness. /Courtesy of News1

Thirty-six members of the People Power Party, including lawmaker Kim Ki-hyun, visited the Constitutional Court on the 17th to protest that the court was biased and unfair during the impeachment trial of President Yoon. Kim read a statement in front of the court, citing reasons for 'unfair proceedings,' including the unilateral setting of court dates, inducing the withdrawal of insurrection charges from the impeachment bill, and limiting the time for witness examinations.

They also urged compliance with the provisions of the Criminal Procedure Act and the conduct of lawful and fair evidence investigations, prioritizing the case of the impeachment of Acting President Han Duck-soo regarding the quorum of impeachment, and immediate dismissal of the claim for adjudication on procedural rights related to the appointment of Constitutional Court Justice nominee Ma Eun-hyuk.

The Yeouido Institute, the party's think tank, held a discussion at the National Assembly on the theme of 'judicial independence' on this day. Chairperson Kwon criticized during his opening remarks at the discussion, saying, 'It is significant to see how fairly the Constitutional Court is operating; many citizens cannot hide their doubts about whether the court has predetermined answers before the trial.' The Yeouido Institute plans to hold second and third discussions on the 18th and 19th, respectively, beginning with this first discussion, focusing on the issues within the criminal justice system during the investigation of President Yoon.

Some criticize that the ruling party is fueling distrust in the judiciary by pointing out the political bias of certain justices.

In response, Chairperson Kwon stated at the Kwanhun Club discussion on this day, 'It is meaningful to see how fairly the Constitutional Court is operating; I completely disagree with the judgment that it is 'shaking' the court based solely on the phenomena pointed out by spokespersons or party members at various times.'

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