Rights watchdog meets over agenda on Yoon's right to fair trial

The state human rights watchdog began a meeting Monday to discuss whether to adopt a recommendation to guarantee President Yoon Suk Yeol's right to defense during his impeachment trial at the Constitutional Court.

The National Human Rights Commission of Korea (NHRCK) convened its plenary meeting on the issue amid growing demand among Yoon's supporters that the impeached president should be guaranteed a fair trial at the Constitutional Court.

The meeting came after an NHRCK standing commissioner proposed the recommendation as part of an agenda to address the national crisis triggered by Yoon's short-lived martial law declaration on Dec. 3 last year. But the commission failed to hold discussions on Jan. 13 and 20 amid strong protests from supporters of liberal opposition parties.

Earlier Monday, pro-Yoon demonstrators attempted to enter the NHRCK building in central Seoul in a bid to block protesters opposing the proposed recommendation but were scattered later after police intervened.

Yoon's supporters have demanded the commission adopt the recommendation in his favor, whereas opposition parties and their supporters have come out against the move.

Ahead of the meeting, ruling and opposition party lawmakers visited the commission to express their opinions on the agenda. (Yonhap)