The eighth argument in the impeachment trial of President Yoon Suk Yeol will be held at the Constitutional Court at 10 a.m. on the 13th. This is the last hearing date originally designated by the court. President Yoon arrived at the court at 9:02 a.m.
On this day, National Intelligence Service Director General Cho Tae-yong, former Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency Commissioner Kim Bong-sik, and Capital Defense Command First Guard Commander Cho Seong-hyeon will testify. The court also intended to proceed with the examination of Korean National Police Agency Commissioner Jo Ji-ho, but the Commissioner's side submitted a notice of absence.
It seems that President Yoon's side and the National Assembly will question Director General Cho regarding the alleged order to form a "politician apprehension squad." Earlier, former National Intelligence Service Chief Hong Jang-won testified on the 4th that he reported to Director General Cho about the politician apprehension squad and received only the reply, "Let's talk about it tomorrow." Furthermore, an examination regarding whether there was an order to blockade the National Assembly is expected to be conducted against former Commissioner Kim. Currently, former Commissioner Kim has been indicted and is in custody on charges of conspiracy to commit insurrection.
Commander Cho is a witness adopted ex officio by the court. According to the indictment against President Yoon from the prosecution, Commander Cho received instructions from then-Capital Defense Command Commander Lee Jin-woo to remove members of the National Assembly. The court is expected to focus on questioning this matter. Previously, at the fifth hearing, former Commander Lee, who appeared as a witness, refused to provide relevant answers.
Meanwhile, the hearing date for the impeachment trial of President Yoon designated by the court is the last one today. Until the previous day, the court stated that no further hearing dates had been decided.
Accordingly, attention is focused on whether the court will designate additional hearing dates today. Earlier, President Yoon's side applied for three additional witnesses, including Chief Secretary to the President Kang Yi-goo, former Seoul East Detention Center Chief Park Kyung-sun, and Corrections Headquarters Chief Shin Yong-ha. Whether these additional witnesses will be accepted has not yet been decided.
Former President Park Geun-hye held 17 hearing dates, while former President Roh Moo-hyun went through 7 hearing dates. Following this, former President Park had an impeachment confirmation decision made after 11 days, while former President Roh had an impeachment dismissal decision made after 14 days.