The second preparatory hearing for the impeachment trial of Commissioner Jo Ji-ho took place at the Constitutional Court on the 22nd. The National Assembly decided to exclude the charges of insurrection and obstruction of the exercise of authority from the impeachment trial. However, the charge of excessive suppression by the National Assembly was maintained as part of the trial.
Judges Jeong Jeong-mi and Jo Han-chang held the second preparatory hearing for the impeachment trial of Commissioner Jo in a minor ruling at the Constitutional Court in Jongno-gu, Seoul, at 3 p.m. The preparatory hearing does not require the parties to attend, so Commissioner Jo did not appear.
Earlier, on December 12 last year, the National Assembly passed the impeachment motion against Commissioner Jo. It was based on allegations that Commissioner Jo had abused his authority by sending police to prevent National Assembly members from entering the Assembly during the state of emergency on December 3 (excessive suppression) and infringing upon the right to demand the lifting of the state of emergency (obstruction of the exercise of authority), as well as participating in insurrection.
However, on this day, the National Assembly excluded the charges of insurrection and obstruction of the exercise of authority from the impeachment trial of Commissioner Jo. Judge Jeong asked, "The National Assembly side said on the 18th of this month in their written submission that the charges of insurrection and abuse of authority would be excluded, is that correct?" The National Assembly responded, "Yes." However, they did not disclose the specific reasons for the withdrawal.
Previously, the National Assembly withdrew the charge of insurrection from the grounds for impeachment during the trial of former President Yoon Suk-yeol. The intent was to not contest the judgment of guilt or innocence regarding insurrection in the impeachment trial, which is a constitutional review. It appears that the National Assembly made the same judgment in the impeachment trial of Commissioner Jo.
The issue of excessive suppression on December 3 last year against the National Assembly and the Election Commission is expected to continue to be examined in the impeachment trial. However, the National Assembly has not submitted evidence on this matter. The side of Commissioner Jo stated, "If the National Assembly side submits evidence quickly, we will respond accordingly."
The third preparatory hearing for the impeachment trial of Commissioner Jo is scheduled to take place at 3 p.m. on the 19th of next month.