The National Human Rights Commission recommended the guarantee of President Yoon Suk-yeol's right to defense in the impeachment trial on the 10th, with some amendments made to the agenda, which was then passed. The Human Rights Commission's opinion will be delivered to the Constitutional Court and others.
The Human Rights Commission adopted a revised version of the recommendation for measures to overcome the national crisis caused by the declaration of martial law during the second plenary meeting held that afternoon. This agenda was submitted by Commissioners Kim Yong-won, Han Seok-hoon, Kim Jong-min, and Lee Han-byul.
Regarding the agenda to guarantee the right to defense in President Yoon's impeachment trial, Chairperson Ahn Chang-ho and Commissioners Kim Yong-won, Lee Chung-sang, Han Seok-hoon, Lee Han-byul, and Kang Jeong-hye voted in favor, while Commissioners Nam Kyu-seon, Won Min-gyeong, Kim Yong-jik, and So Ra-mi opposed, resulting in the agenda's approval.
However, Commissioner Kang Jeong-hye, who supported the motion, expressed disagreement with some of the content and orders. It seems many parts will be amended, except for orders such as 'strictly comply with due process, including rigorous job investigations equivalent to criminal proceedings during the hearings of the impeachment case against President Yoon Suk-yeol.'
The agenda directly unrelated to President Yoon's impeachment trial was rejected with 4 votes in favor and 6 against. The agenda will undergo a procedure to specify the opinions of the commissioners who opposed the resolution, and the Human Rights Commission will express its recommendations or opinions within a week at the earliest. Specific details will be included in the resolution statement.
Demonstrators gathered at the Human Rights Commission in Jung-gu, Seoul, starting from the morning, chanting slogans such as 'Invalidation of impeachment.' They also occupied areas like the first-floor lobby of the building to prevent opposing groups from blocking the meeting.
After the agenda to guarantee President Yoon's right to defense was approved, one of the demonstrators in the first-floor lobby of the Human Rights Commission shouted, 'We won.' They chanted slogans such as 'President Yoon Suk-yeol' and 'Free Yoon Suk-yeol.'
Members of the People Power Party, including Cho Bae-suk, Kang Seung-kyu, Park Chung-kwon, Jo Ji-yeon, and Choi Su-jin, visited the Human Rights Commission to meet with Chairperson Ahn Chang-ho, stating that the agenda to guarantee President Yoon's right to defense should be approved. During an encounter with reporters in the building lobby, Cho said, 'The president also has rights as a citizen.' Additionally, members of the Democratic Party of Korea, including Ko Min-jeong and Seo Mi-hwa, as well as Shin Jang-sik of the Justice Party, conveyed their opposition to the agenda to Chairperson Ahn.
The agenda for the Human Rights Commission's investigation and opinion on the 'Martial law declaration that disrupts constitutional order by the president' was rejected without a vote in the plenary meeting.
Earlier, the Human Rights Commission attempted to introduce this agenda at the first plenary meeting on the 13th of last month, but the meeting was canceled due to strong opposition from civic groups and the opposition party. A further attempt to introduce it on the 20th of the same month was also canceled due to concerns over disorder as pro- and anti-impeachment groups were planning gatherings near the Human Rights Commission.