President Yoon's impeachment bill passed...Constitutional Court 'tense'

[Anchor]
With the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol approved at the plenary session of the National Assembly today, the National Assembly will soon receive a written resolution of the prosecution to the Constitutional Court.

The Constitutional Court, which has begun full-fledged impeachment proceedings, is experiencing tension.

For more information, I'll connect with a reporter and find out. Reporter Shin Jiwon!

[Reporter]
Yes, it's in the Constitutional Court.

[Anchor]
What's the atmosphere like on the spot?

[Reporter]
Yes, in front of the Constitutional Court, more than 15 police task force vehicles are lined up.

Today, the impeachment motion against Yoon Suk Yeol's president is passed, maintaining order and preparing for possible safety accidents.

It is the first time in eight years that the Constitutional Court has entered the impeachment trial of the president since former President Park Geun Hye's manipulation of state affairs.

If the impeachment bill is passed at today's plenary session, Democratic Party lawmaker Chung Chung-rae, chairman of the National Assembly's Legislative and Judiciary Committee, will become a member of the prosecution.

When the National Assembly submits the original copy of the prosecution resolution to the Constitutional Court, the impeachment process begins in earnest.

The Constitutional Court receives an authentic copy of the impeachment resolution through the civil service office,
After receiving the
case, mail service will be carried out to the parties to the impeachment trial.

[Anchor]
Currently, only six out of nine constitutional judges are left, so is there no obstacle to hearing whether to impeach the president?

[Reporter]
The Constitutional Court is currently operating under a "six-member system" after failing to replace former Constitutional Court Chief Justice Lee Jong-seok and former judges Lee Young-jin and Kim Ki-young, who retired in October.

According to the Constitutional Court Act, the court must have at least six people in favor when making a decision such as impeachment.

Originally, more than seven people were required to attend the hearing, but the rule was recently suspended.

Since there are currently only six members, impeachment can only be decided if everyone agrees,
As controversy over the unconstitutionality or procedural defects of
could arise, there is a possibility that three judges currently vacant will be appointed.

However, it takes a certain amount of time from the parliamentary confirmation hearing to the appointment, and the final nominee is the president who is currently subject to impeachment.

If the impeachment bill against President Yoon is passed in the second vote today, the acting president can appoint a constitutional judge.

So far, I'm Shin Jiwon of YTN at the Constitutional Court.

Photographer: Jin Soo-hwan