Representatives for Constitutional Petition against Capital Relocation “Planning to Request Oral Pleading”

Representatives for the constitutional petition against the “Special Laws on Constructing the New Administrative Capital” announced on July 22 that they are examining a plan to request oral pleading depending on the trial progress of the Constitutional Court.

One of the representatives, lawyer Lee Seok-yeon, stated, “Although it is a matter that should be judged by the Constitutional Court, we are planning to request oral pleading if necessary.”

It was found that the government’s side was also in preparation in case the Constitutional Court enforces an oral pleading request. Although a written trial is the principle for the constitutional petition that determines any breach of constitutional law, an oral pleading can take place if the court acknowledges the necessity.

However, the Ministry of Construction and Transportation is planning to submit a written opinion concerning this matter to the Constitutional Court around August 6. It is projected that a full-scale trial will start in mid-August as Cheong Wa Dae, the National Assembly, the Ministry of Justice, the Presidential Committee on Administrative Capital Relocation, and the Seoul Metropolitan Government, which were all requested to submit a written opinion by the Constitutional Court, are likely to submit their written opinions around the same time.

Sang-Rok Lee myzodan@donga.com