Kim Byung-joo: "Yoon's Impeachment Differs from Roh and Park Cases... Must Be Judged Within Two Months"

Park Geun-hye case completely different from former Presidents Roh Moo-hyun
Should proceed swiftly with momentum at the Constitutional Court for quick resolution

With the National Assembly's approval of the impeachment motion suspending President Yoon Seok-yeol's duties, Kim Byung-joo, a Supreme Council member of the Democratic Party of Korea, insisted that the Constitutional Court should expedite the impeachment trial within two months.

On the 16th, Kim stated on CBS Radio's 'Kim Hyun-jung's News Show,' "This is completely different in nature from the impeachments of former Presidents Park Geun-hye and the late Roh Moo-hyun. It is related to a rebellion that triggered martial law, and the country is in a very unstable situation," adding, "I personally think the Constitutional Court should proceed with more momentum and complete it within at least two months."

Kim Byung-joo, Supreme Council Member of the Democratic Party of Korea. Photo by Yonhap News

The Constitutional Court is originally composed of nine justices, with three appointed each by the President, the National Assembly, and the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. Currently, the three justices appointed by the National Assembly are vacant. The ruling party plans to finalize the formation of a special committee today (16th) through discussions with the opposition party regarding the personnel hearing schedule. Kim Byung-joo predicted that the appointment process, including the personnel hearing and plenary session, would be completed by the end of December.

Calculating the periods until the Constitutional Court's final decision, it took 63 days during the late President Roh's case and 91 days during former President Park's case. Unlike former President Park, who did not attend the trial dates, President Yoon has expressed his intention to appear in person. Some speculate that President Yoon's trial schedule may be prolonged.

Kim emphasized that now is the time for President Yoon to sincerely repent and ask for forgiveness for his mistakes. He said, "The martial law incident is a clear rebellion, yet President Yoon acts as if he is a patriot," adding, "It is absurd." He further asserted, "If he continues to make excuses, history and the people will no longer forgive him."

President Yoon did not comply with the prosecution's summons to appear by 10 a.m. on the 15th. A second summons is scheduled for today (16th). If he refuses to appear after three summonses, an emergency arrest is typically unavoidable. This is the first time a sitting president has been summoned by the prosecution as a suspect, drawing attention to the actions of the Presidential Security Service. Kim explained, "There may be clashes, but since the Security Service must act according to the law, they will have to comply even if an emergency arrest is made."