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Yonhap News

With the impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk-yeol likely to be passed in the National Assembly plenary session on the afternoon of the 14th, the presidential office is also closely monitoring the situation. As the impeachment phase begins again after eight years since the passage of the impeachment motion against former President Park Geun-hye, attention is focused on what changes may occur in President Yoon's duties and powers, as well as the role of the presidential office.

When Will President Yoon's Duties Be Suspended?

First, if the impeachment motion against President Yoon is passed in the National Assembly plenary session vote starting at 4 p.m. that day, the process of suspending the president's duties will begin. The president's duties are not suspended immediately upon the National Assembly's gaveling of the impeachment motion; the resolution must be delivered to the presidential office.

If passed, Speaker Woo Won-shik will sign the original and copies of the impeachment resolution. The original resolution will be submitted to the Constitutional Court by Jeong Cheong-rae, chairman of the National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee. Then, the Constitutional Court will officially begin the impeachment trial procedure against President Yoon.

Copies of the resolution will be delivered to the presidential office by the director of the National Assembly Secretariat. It is not yet known who will receive it at the presidential office, but the location is likely to be the Yongsan Ministry of National Defense west gate reception area, which leads into the presidential office. Previously, the police also delivered the search warrant for the presidential office here.

If Duties Are Suspended... Where and What Will President Yoon Do?

Once President Yoon's duties are suspended, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo is expected to assume the presidential powers. The Prime Minister's Secretariat and the Office for Government Policy Coordination are reported to have come to work early that morning to prepare for the impeachment situation.

The Prime Minister's Office has experience assisting Acting Presidents Go Gun and Hwang Kyo-ahn during the impeachment phases of President Roh Moo-hyun in March 2004 and President Park Geun-hye in December 2016, respectively, so it is expected to follow precedent in handling duties this time as well.

President Yoon will be unable to exercise constitutionally guaranteed presidential powers such as commander-in-chief of the armed forces and appointment and dismissal of public officials until the Constitutional Court issues a ruling. He will not be able to preside over cabinet meetings, issue directives to ministries, or receive reports related to state affairs. These duties will be handled by Prime Minister Han.

The presidential powers include ▲commander-in-chief of the armed forces ▲ratification of treaties ▲pardoning, commutation, and reinstatement ▲veto power over bills ▲submission of national referendums ▲proposal and promulgation of constitutional amendments ▲promulgation of amended laws ▲submission of budget proposals ▲reception of foreign diplomatic envoys ▲administrative legislative powers ▲appointment and dismissal of public officials ▲appointment powers over constitutional institutions, among others.

However, the president's status is not revoked until the impeachment trial concludes. Therefore, presidential security and protocol will be maintained. President Yoon is expected to remain at the presidential residence while awaiting the Constitutional Court's trial, which can take up to 180 days.

President Yoon will be able to use official vehicles and the presidential aircraft. However, since he is banned from leaving the country due to charges related to emergency martial law and rebellion, his movements are expected to be restricted. Meanwhile, during the impeachment period, he will continue to receive his salary except for work-related expenses.

Yongsan Presidential Office. Photo by Yonhap News

What Happens to the Presidential Office Without a President?

If President Yoon's duties are suspended, the role of the Presidential Secretariat is also expected to diminish. This is because key national agenda items that President Yoon had been pursuing will inevitably come to a halt for the time being.

However, the presidential office will not cease operations. It is likely to assist the acting president in carrying out presidential powers until the Constitutional Court's trial concludes. During former President Park's impeachment, Acting President Hwang Kyo-ahn received reports on work coordination from Han Kwang-ok, then chief of the Presidential Secretariat, and shared responsibilities.

Based on previous cases, the presidential office is likely to assist Prime Minister Han in his role as acting president, while the Prime Minister's Office will continue to support him in his capacity as prime minister. In this case, the presidential office will assist the prime minister within the scope of general duties.

The National Security Office will also continue its essential diplomatic and security duties, as it must respond to crisis situations such as North Korean provocations. During Acting President Hwang Kyo-ahn's tenure, when the North Korean 'Kim Jong-nam assassination incident' occurred, Hwang presided over the Standing Committee of the National Security Council (NSC). The Security Office supports the acting president in such situations.