Key witnesses to testify at sixth hearing of impeachment trial of President Yoon on Thursday

Following the fifth hearing of the president's impeachment trial yesterday where there were some clashing statements, the sixth round is scheduled to take place tomorrow, with another key witness to take the stand.

Bae Eun-ji explains.

Another hearing of President Yoon's trial is set to begin at 10 AM on Thursday, and eyes are now on what the key witnesses will say.

Of those to testify is former Army Special Warfare Commander Kwak Jong-keun, who during a recent parliamentary session, reaffirmed that he was ordered by the president to drag lawmakers out from the National Assembly, on the night of the martial law.

His claim contradicts that of former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, a key figure behind the martial law, who insisted Yoon ordered "members of the military," not "members of the Assembly," to be taken out of the building.

"I was ordered to break down the door of the National Assembly and quickly drag out the people inside. At the time, troop members weren't even at the building."

Meanwhile, the Constitutional Court announced Wednesday that it will call in the former chief of Seoul Police Agency, Kim Bong-sik next Thursday.

It also said they will resummon Police Commissioner General Cho Ji-ho for questioning on the same day after Cho did not appear for questioning on January 23rd, citing health reasons.

"Questioning for Cho Ji-ho, who did not appear for previous witness questioning, will take place on February 13th."

Both Kim and Cho are accused of mobilizing police officers to seal off parliament when martial law was briefly imposed on December 3rd.

As for the impeachment trial of Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, the Constitutional Court said it will hold the first hearing on February 19th.

Earlier in December, the opposition-controlled National Assembly approved an impeachment motion against Han, after he refused to appoint three new justices to the Constitutional Court, ahead of its review of President Yoon's impeachment.

Bae Eun-ji, Arirang News.