President Park Geun-hye's lawyers have asked the Constitutional Court to delay her impeachment trial by postponing the final hearing to early March, sources said Sunday.
The lawyers made the request in a written statement to the court Saturday, citing their need for more time to prepare for the final defense and to consider Park's own attendance at the hearing.
This photo shows the 14th hearing of President Park Geun-hye's impeachment trial at the Constitutional Court in Seoul on Feb. 16, 2017. (Yonhap) This photo shows the 14th hearing of President Park Geun-hye's impeachment trial at the Constitutional Court in Seoul on Feb. 16, 2017. (Yonhap)
"Please redesignate the final hearing to March 2 or 3," the statement said, according to multiple sources with knowledge of the proceedings.
Park was impeached in December over allegations she let her friend Choi Soon-sil meddle in state affairs and colluded with her to extort money from conglomerates.
The request comes a few days after the court announced plans to hold the final hearing on Friday, prompting speculation a ruling could come in early March.
Park's ouster requires the approval of at least six of the court's nine justices, but their number will be reduced to seven after the retirement of acting Chief Justice Lee Jung-mi on March 13. Chief Justice Park Han-chul retired at the end of last month upon completing his six-year term.
