Last S. Korean presidential impeachment session next week

South Korea's constitutional court on Thursday said it will hold the last session on the presidential impeachment next week, heralding its final ruling before mid-March.

Lee Jung-mi, the court's acting chief justice, said in the 14th session that hearings will be completed on February 24, asking plaintiffs and defendants to prepare for final arguments on the date, Xinhua news agency reported.

The court has been deliberating whether to permanently remove President Park Geun-hye from office or reinstate her since the motion to impeach the sandal-scarred leader was passed in the parliament on December 9.

The 15th and 16th sessions are scheduled for next February 20 and 22 before the final arguments on February 25.

The chief judge's comments indicated the court's ruling around March 10 given that it takes as long as two weeks to reach a conclusion following the final arguments.

President Park's legal team called for the delay of the final arguments, but even if the call is accepted, the ruling is forecast to be handed down before the court's acting chief retires on March 13.

To uphold the impeachment motion, six of the remaining eight justices are required to vote in favour of the bill.

A presidential election is required to be held in 60 days if the court upholds the impeachment motion.

--IANS

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