Pres. Yoon's impeachment verdict date highly unlikely to be announced this week

It's been three weeks since hearings for President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment trial wrapped up, and a ruling date is still up in the air, which further solidifies speculation that the ruling will happen next week.

Our correspondent Oh Soo-young reports.

Three weeks and counting, the Constitutional Court is yet to announce when it will rule on President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment, meaning there will be no verdict this week.

As of Wednesday 22 days since Yoon's final trial hearing was held, the Court has not revealed the date it would make the fateful ruling.

Given that the Court notified former Presidents Park Geun-hye and Roh Moo-hyun two to three days in advance of their respective ruling dates, Yoon's verdict is now expected to take place next week at the earliest.

The eight-member bench is reportedly continuing to deliberate on Yoon's impeachment

The longer-than-expected process has given rise to diverse speculation over what's holding up the justices.

Some experts believe they have already decided unanimously to impeach President Yoon, and are fine-tuning their positions to deliver an indisputable judgment amid fears the result may trigger extreme reactions from the public.

The Seoul Western District Court's approval to extend a warrant to detain Yoon,.. prompted violence from his supporters.

Some believe the bench may be divided ideologically, and are struggling to align their views, given how an earlier impeachment case of Korea Communications Commission chair Lee Jin-sook was dismissed as the justices' opinions were split evenly in line with their political orientations.

In any case, the justices are facing growing calls to make a swift decision as Yoon's prolonged suspension from office, hinders effective governance of the nation.

The bench is also under significant political pressure.

Those supporting Yoon's impeachment wish to quickly trigger a snap presidential election, which polls show would largely favor opposition Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung.

Meanwhile, conservatives including Yoon's supporters are calling for the case to be dismissed, or for the Court to deliver a ruling after Lee Jae-myung's own verdict, on one of his five criminal cases next Tuesday.

If at least six justices agree to uphold the presidential impeachment, Yoon will be removed from office immediately, triggering an early election that must be held within 60 days.

If at least three are against impeachment, the President will resume his duties.

Oh Soo-young, Arirang News.