A constitutional complaint filed by former President Yoon Suk-yeol's side challenging the treason special prosecutor act's provisions on "mandatory broadcast of trials" and "sentence reduction or exemption" (plea bargaining) will receive a full ruling from the Constitutional Court.
On the 10th, the court referred to the full bench a constitutional complaint filed by the former president's side seeking a review of the constitutionality of Articles 11(4), 11(7), and 25 of the treason special prosecutor act. In constitutional complaints, a designated panel of three justices first reviews whether filing requirements are met; if it finds no grounds for dismissal, the case proceeds to the full bench of nine justices.
The contested Article 11(4) and (7) require the mandatory broadcast of the first trial in cases indicted by the treason special prosecutor. Article 25 allows penalties to be reduced or exempted if, in connection with the special prosecutor's investigative targets, a person turns themselves in or provides key statements or testimony that identify another person's crime.
Regarding the mandatory broadcast provision, the former president's side argues it infringes the right to a fair trial, saying it "subjects trial participants to excessive public pressure."
The former president's side also sought a constitutional review referral in October last year, challenging the same provisions before the panel hearing the case on charges of being a treason ringleader. If a court grants a referral, the trial proceedings can be stayed until the Constitutional Court rules. However, the panel in question reportedly did not make a referral and instead set a sentencing date for the 19th.