S. Korea's constitutional court to hold hearings for Yoon's impeachment trial on Jan 14, Jan 16

SEOUL -- South Korea's constitutional court said Friday that it will hold hearings for President Yoon Suk-yeol's impeachment trial on Jan 14 and Jan 16.

A constitutional court justice said in the second preparatory hearing earlier in the day that the pretrial hearing was concluded with the second one to hold a formal hearing on Jan 14 for the launch of formal proceedings.

The justice noted that the second formal hearing was set on Jan 16 in preparation for the absence of the defendant, referring to the impeached president.

Legal representatives for Yoon demanded further discussions in additional preparatory hearings, but it was dismissed by the justice.

Legal representatives for the National Assembly denounced Yoon's defense counsel for intending to delay the court proceedings.

An impeachment motion against Yoon was passed by the National Assembly on Dec 14 last year and delivered to the constitutional court to deliberate it for up to 180 days, during which Yoon's presidential power is suspended.

Yoon, who was named by investigative agencies as a suspected ringleader on insurrection charge, declared a martial law on the night of Dec 3, 2024 but it was revoked by the National Assembly hours later.