Seoul: The Constitutional Court is set to conduct its first impeachment trial for the chief state auditor on February 12. This development follows the opposition-controlled National Assembly's decision on December 5 to pass an impeachment motion against Choe Jae-hae, the Chair of the Board of Audit and Inspection, thereby suspending his duties and placing his fate in the hands of the court.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Choe faces accusations from the opposition concerning his inadequate review of alleged irregularities linked to the 2022 relocation of the presidential office. This relocation was carried out in accordance with a campaign promise made by President Yoon Suk Yeol.

The court has already conducted three pretrial hearings to determine the list of witnesses and outline the key issues that will be deliberated during the forthcoming hearings. Choe is among several government officials, including prosecutors, who have been impeached by the opposition-controlled parliament since President Yoon assumed office in May 2022. This case marks the first impeachment of a chief state auditor.