Is the end near for President Yoon's impeachment trial? Court rejects Yoon's request to adjust 10th hearing

President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment trial appears to be coming to a close with the 10th hearing set to take place tomorrow that is Thursday despite an earlier request for a rescheduling by the president's defense team.

Our correspondent Oh Soo-young has a recap of Tuesday's session and more.

The Constitutional Court rejected President Yoon Suk Yeol's request to rearrange one impeachment hearing, which coincides with the start of his criminal trial proceedings this week.

On Tuesday, during the President's ninth trial hearing, Acting Chief Justice Moon Hyung-bae said the tenth session on Thursday will go ahead as planned, dismissing a request by Yoon's team to hold the session next week, as the Seoul Central District Court will begin the President's pretrial hearings for his criminal case on Thursday morning.

"While there are concerns the overlapping schedule weakens Yoon's right to legal self-defense, the Constitutional Court has decided to push ahead with the impeachment hearing at 3 PM, an hour later than initially planned, stating that the criminal trial is at 10 AM."

During Tuesday's hearing, legal representatives of the National Assembly and President Yoon further made their case for and against impeachment.

The Assembly's panel called for Yoon's swift removal from office, saying declaration of martial law and related decrees were illegal as they did not go through Cabinet procedures, and accused him of dictatorial actions.

"This is a direct attack on the principles of the rule of law and the separation of powers. From the perspective of constitutional protection, it is an absolutely unacceptable act."

Yoon's side continued to argue that declaring martial law was a Constitutional right of the President and that the opposition party-led parliament had forced his hand.

"The opposition paralyzed the judiciary, legislature, and administration with its countless impeachments, interference with the Constitutional Court's composition, reckless budget cuts, legislative maneuvers to shield its leader Lee Jae-myung, and obstruction of government policy bills. In a short amount of time, the President initiated a martial law that was Constitutional, legal and peaceful as a plea to the people."

They further raised suspicions of false ballot papers and potential Chinese interference causing electoral irregularities as a pretext for declaring martial law.

Yoon's lawyers say they will review on Wednesday whether there's further evidence and witnesses to present.

The tenth hearing on Thursday will feature three witness examinations including with Prime Minister Han Duck-soo.

Former intelligence official Hong Jang-won will return to the Court for further questioning this time by Yoon's legal team.

National Police Agency chief Cho Ji-ho will be forced to attend, after two absences due to illness.

Experts say the Court is likely to add one more hearing to hear the closing arguments and the President's final statement.

Yoon on Tuesday decided to return to Seoul Detention Center and sit out the ninth hearing.

If the trial concludes next week, a ruling will likely be made in the first half of March.

In past Presidential impeachment trials, a verdict was reached within two weeks.

Oh Soo-young, Arirang News.