This follows the court's earlier announcement that the trial's ninth hearing will be held on Tuesday, meaning that there will be two additional hearings scheduled for Tuesday and Thursday next week.
The court also accepted a request from Yoon's legal representatives to summon Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who has been suspended from his post, to explain their position related to the Dec. 3 declaration of martial law.
It initially rejected the request, but now seems to try to accommodate out of concern for possible backlash, after Yoon's defense team complained that the court is rushing the proceedings "unlawfully and unfairly" without providing sufficient time for Yoon’s defense, warning that they would have to "make a serious decision otherwise."
With the two upcoming hearings wrapping up next week, the court will begin its deliberation to decide whether to impeach or reinstate the president, which normally takes about two weeks, meaning that any decision is expected to be made by sometime in March.
Should the impeachment be upheld, Yoon would be ousted from office, leading to a snap presidential election within 60 days.
Yoon is also facing a separate criminal trial on charges of insurrection and abuse of power, with the trial scheduled to begin next Thursday.
reporter
Park Sae-jin
swatchsjp@ajunews.com
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