Seoul: The Constitutional Court announced it will deliver its ruling on President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment at 11 a.m. Friday, marking a potential turning point in the political unrest that followed his brief imposition of martial law in December.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the court has confirmed that the verdict will be broadcast live and members of the public will be permitted to attend the session. This decision comes nearly four months after the National Assembly impeached Yoon on allegations of constitutional violations and unlawful actions related to his imposition of martial law on December 3.
The impeachment proceedings have led to significant political instability, with the nation experiencing two acting presidencies, including one president who was impeached and later reinstated. The leadership vacuum has posed numerous political and economic challenges for the country. During his trial, Yoon faced accusations of deploying troops to obstruct the National Assembly's vote against his decree and ordering the arrest of key political figures. Yoon has refuted these charges, arguing that his actions were intended as a caution to the opposition party for what he perceived as legislative overreach.
The Constitutional Court requires the agreement of at least six of its eight justices to uphold the impeachment motion. If upheld, Yoon will be removed from office; if dismissed, he will return to complete his term until May 2027. Concurrently, Yoon is undergoing a criminal trial for allegedly inciting insurrection through his martial law attempt. He was detained in January but released on March 8 after a court declared his detention invalid. Yoon's legal team has not yet decided on his presence at the court for the verdict.
Both the ruling People Power Party (PPP) and the main opposition Democratic Party (DP) expressed approval of the court's scheduled announcement. PPP interim leader Kwon Young-se emphasized the importance of resolving the constitutional instability, while PPP floor leader Kweon Seong-dong assured that his party would respect the court's decision. Conversely, DP floor leader Park Chan-dae voiced confidence that the justices would vote for Yoon's removal, labeling it the optimal resolution to quell the current unrest.
The presidential office issued a statement indicating it would "calmly wait for the Constitutional Court's decision." Historically, the court's ruling timeline on presidential impeachments has varied, with 38 days being the longest, following former Presidents Roh Moo-hyun and Park Geun-hye's cases, which took 14 and 11 days, respectively.
As a precautionary measure, four out of six exits at Anguk Station near the Constitutional Court were closed to prevent disruption from protestors. Additionally, train services might be halted at several stations, including Gwanghwamun and City Hall, on the day of the ruling.