The court has reportedly been holding deliberation sessions almost every day since Yoon's hearings concluded late last month.
In the meantime, the court gave prior notice that it will deliver rulings on Thursday for a series of pending impeachment cases including Choi Jae-hae, head of the Board of Audit and Inspection, and Lee Chang-soo, prosecutor general of the Seoul Central District Office.
This has fueled speculation that the verdict is unlikely to be delivered this week and may be delayed longer than expected.
Many legal experts had initially predicted that the court would reach a decision roughly two weeks after Yoon's final hearing on Feb. 25, which falls around this Friday.
Considering precedents in similar cases, former President Roh Moo-hyun was reinstated two weeks after his impeachment hearing concluded, while former disgraced President Park Geun-hye's ruling, which led to her ouster from office took 11 days.
A prolonged proceeding could lead to disruptions in state affairs and social conflicts, which is why the court has historically expedited impeachment cases of presidents.
However, Yoon's case involves multiple complex legal issues, requiring the court's eight-justice bench to carefully deliberate the case, which is causing delays.
Additionally, Yoon's sudden release from a remand prison last week, after his arrest was canceled citing procedural flaws amid differing views on his detention periods and the legality of an investigation by the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO), appears to have further complicated the highest court's decision.
One legal expert pointed out, "Although the court is prioritizing Yoon's case, it is also handling multiple concurrent impeachment cases including that of Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who is suspended from his post." He added, "There is strong public division over the matter, which appears to be causing prolonged deliberations."
Han, whose hearing was wrapped up in just one session on Feb. 19, is still awaiting a ruling despite his request for a swift decision.
Another legal source speculated, "There may be differing opinions among the justices, which could be prolonging deliberations and delaying the ruling."
The court is now expected to make its ruling on Yoon sometime next week at the earliest, or at least by the end of this month.
Copyright ⓒ Aju Press All rights reserved.