The Constitutional Court said Thursday it plans to conclude President Park Geun-hye's impeachment hearings next week, prompting speculation that a ruling could come in early March.

"The court plans to conclude the hearings on Feb. 24 after completing the questioning of witnesses," acting Chief Justice Lee Jung-mi said during the 14th hearing. "I ask both sides to submit their final statements by Feb. 23 and prepare for the final defense during the hearing on Feb. 24."

Park's lawyers claimed they need more time to prepare, saying even "ordinary trials" allow for more time between the submission of the final statement and the final oral defense.

Justice Kang Il-won, the lead justice for the case, refused to reverse the decision immediately but offered to discuss their argument with the other justices should they submit it in writing.

If the final hearing is held on or around Feb. 24, expectations are high that the court will deliver its verdict before March 13, before the retirement date of the acting chief justice. (Yonhap)