UPDATE - South Korean top court to begin trial of impeached President Yoon on Dec. 27

UPDATES WITH MORE DETAILS, STATEMENT FROM DEFENSE MINISTRY

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) - South Korea’s Constitutional court will hold the first hearing of impeachment review of ousted President Yoon Suk Yeol on Dec. 27.

The judges of the top court met on Monday, examining the successful impeachment motion passed by the parliament, and decided to hold the preliminary hearing on Dec. 27, Yonhap News reported.

Yoon, 63, was suspended from office on Saturday after the National Assembly passed the motion, suspending him from duties over his short-lived declaration of martial law on the night of Dec. 3. The administration is currently run by acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo.

Six of the nine members of the top court must back the impeachment motion to remove Yoon from office, and the court has 180 days to make a decision.

The current composition of court has only six justices, but the top court said it can take up the case without the other three being nominated.

Under the existing panel, consent from all six justices is required for the impeachment to be upheld.

Meanwhile, the parliament will hold confirmation hearings for other three justices.

Yoon’s powers will be restored if the top decides against the impeachment.

The hearings are held publicly, which the embattled prosecutor-turned-politician must attend, either through lawyer or personally.

- Cases of treason, insurrection

Separately, Yoon also faces treason and insurrection charges, among others, and is expected to be summoned by a joint investigation unit on Wednesday.

He already refused to attend questioning by prosecutors on Sunday. The prosecutor's office again sent summons to Yoon's office and residence, which were not physically received by his officials.

Yoon has become first sitting president to be booked for treason and insurrection, and has been banned from overseas travel. He can face arrest as well.

The joint team is being led by the police, the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) and the Defense Ministry's investigation unit. He will be questioned on charges of insurrection and abuse of power.

Earlier in the day, the ruling People Power Party chairman, Han Dong-hoon, stepped down, apologizing to the people over what the main opposition Democratic Party has described as “self-coup” by Yoon.

The Defense Ministry said an estimated 1,500 soldiers were mobilized when Yoon announced martial law early this month.

At least two commanders have been arrested after authorities suspended six army officers for alleged complicity in the martial law declaration.

Yoon announced army rule on Dec. 3, but the decree was rejected by parliament, forcing the 63-year-old leader to rescind his decision.

The parliament impeached Yoon, suspending him from duties, in a second successful attempt on Dec. 14.