Jeong Cheong-rae: "Even the Moon's Shadow on the Lake is a Witness... Yoon Must Be Dismissed for Democracy"

In his final statement during the impeachment trial of President Yoon Seok-yeol, Jeong Cheong-rae, the chairman of the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee and an impeachment prosecutor, asserted, "On December 3rd, the entire nation witnessed the violent acts of the martial law troops through live TV broadcast," and argued, "He must be removed for the sake of democracy and national development." On that day, Chairman Jeong spoke for about 40 minutes starting at 8:04 PM.

Jeong Cheong-rae, Chairman of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee, is attending the final argument of President Yoon Seok-yeol's impeachment trial held at the Grand Bench of the Constitutional Court in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 25th. <2025.02.25 Photo by Joint Press Corps>

On the 25th, during the 11th hearing of President Yoon Seok-yeol's impeachment trial, Chairman Jeong stated, "The sky heard the roar of the martial law troops' helicopters, and the ground saw the military boots of the armed martial law troops," adding, "Even the moon's shadow floating on the lake is a witness." He further said, "The necessary and sufficient conditions for removing the rebel leader Yoon Seok-yeol have already matured."

He continued, "There is a person who tried to kill the people who love the country and the constitution with guns and knives, trampled on democracy protected by blood, and attempted to destroy the constitution written character by character with blood as ink. He tried to erase the history of democracy written in blood with his tongue," referring to "President Yoon currently in this courtroom."

He cited five reasons for the necessity of President Yoon's impeachment: ▲Conditions for martial law ▲Violation of procedural legitimacy of martial law ▲Infringement of National Assembly authority ▲Unconstitutional and illegal proclamation orders ▲Seizure of the Central Election Commission.

Chairman Jeong said, "President Yoon's violations of the constitution and laws have been sufficiently proven through strict documentary and video evidence and testimonies from 16 witnesses over two preparatory procedures and 11 hearings," adding, "At this point, the respondent should humbly apologize to the people through reflection and remorse for the unconstitutional and illegal martial law."

He raised his voice, saying, "However, President Yoon did not apologize but instead excused it as a brief warning martial law and claimed that nothing happened," and asked, "Is the early end of martial law his achievement? Is ending without casualties something to be proud of?" He added, "The reduction of martial law damage was a joint effort by citizens who ran to the National Assembly, aides who blocked the martial law troops, citizens who stopped armored vehicles, soldiers who passively resisted illegal orders, and lawmakers who climbed over walls."

He stated, "The respondent's unconstitutional rebellion was a serious unconstitutional attempt that shook the foundation of democracy and an unconstitutional provocation that fundamentally infringed on the people's freedom and rights," and said, "A president who has lost trust cannot stand before the people again." Finally, Chairman Jeong concluded his final statement by reciting the first verse of the national anthem and saying, "I hope President Yoon will be swiftly removed so that the people who love the constitution and the country can proudly sing the national anthem."