President Yoon Suk-yeol [Seoul Central District Court Provided]

The Constitutional Court has formally accepted for review a constitutional appeal filed by President Yoon Suk-yeol's side, seeking a determination on the constitutionality of Articles 11 (paragraphs 4 and 7) and 25 of the Special Prosecutor Act, specifically concerning the mandatory broadcasting of trials and the provision for plea bargaining (guilty plea negotiation system).

Accordingly, the Constitutional Court, based on the Constitutional Court Act, will determine whether the constitutional appeal meets the legal requirements through a designated bench composed of three justices. If the designated bench deems there are no legal defects, the case will be referred to a full bench of nine justices for deliberation.

Article 11 (paragraphs 4 and 7) of the Special Prosecutor Act mandates the mandatory broadcasting of the first-instance trial for cases indicted by the special prosecutor. Article 25 of the same act stipulates that penalties may be reduced or waived for individuals who confess to crimes or provide key statements and testimonies that reveal the crimes of others, in relation to the scope of the special prosecutor's investigation.

President Yoon's side argued that the mandatory broadcasting provision is unconstitutional, stating that it exposes trial participants to excessive public pressure, thereby infringing upon the right to a fair trial.

Hanmi Daily Editorial Department