"Park Geun-hye Is Just a Drop in the Bucket... Yoon, Unanimous Constitutional Court Impeachment Predicted by First Constitutional Research Officer"

Professor Lee Seok-yeon, South Korea's 'First Constitutional Research Officer'
"Dismissal Decision Will Be Unanimous Among Justices"
"Yoon's Impeachment Grounds Are Clearer Than Former President Park's"

Former President Park Geun-hye (left) and President Yoon Suk-yeol. Photo by Yonhap News

Professor Lee Seok-yeon, South Korea's 'first constitutional research officer' and former Minister of Government Legislation under the Lee Myung-bak administration, predicted that President Yoon Seok-yeol, who is facing impeachment proceedings at the Constitutional Court, will be unanimously removed from office by all the justices. Professor Lee emphasized, "The grounds for impeaching former President Park Geun-hye are insignificant compared to those for President Yoon," adding, "The reasons for President Yoon's impeachment are clearer than those during former President Park's time."

On the 15th, former Minister Lee appeared on MBN's 'Current Affairs Special - Jung Woon-gap's In-depth Analysis' and forecasted that President Yoon would be impeached unanimously by the Constitutional Court. He explained, "Compared to the grounds for former President Park's impeachment, the gravity and clarity of the reasons for this impeachment are much greater," and added, "In short, the grounds for former President Park's impeachment are insignificant compared to those for President Yoon." He further stated, "This case is much clearer in terms of impeachment grounds than former President Park's, and I believe a decision will be made within two months at the earliest." This implies a high possibility of impeachment since President Yoon's alleged charge of rebellion is more serious than former President Park's recognized violations of the constitution and laws during the state affairs manipulation scandal.

"Did Not Fully Follow Procedures Prescribed by the Constitution... Clearly Rebellion Due to Intent to Disturb National Order"

Former Minister Lee also explained why President Yoon's declaration of martial law is unconstitutional. He pointed out, "The procedures prescribed by the Constitution were not fully followed," noting, "To declare martial law, the State Council must deliberate, minutes must be created and documented, and the documents must be signed by the Prime Minister and relevant members, but these were not observed." He also criticized, "There was no urgent situation warranting the deployment of the military to maintain public peace and order," and said, "Deploying the military to remove members of the National Assembly was a rebellion aimed at disturbing the national order." Former Minister Lee emphasized, "The President's claim of executive acts is not persuasive at all. Executive acts can only be discussed within the framework of the Constitution," and added, "Because there was an intent to disturb the national order, this clearly constitutes the crime of rebellion."

Having once served as acting chairman of the nomination committee for the People Power Party's predecessor, the United Future Party, former Minister Lee also criticized the current situation of the People Power Party. He said, "Those who are pro-Yoon (pro-Yoon Seok-yeol) bear responsibility for causing today's crisis," and advised, "They should not repeat the same old mistakes while claiming to be President Yoon's bodyguards." Regarding the role of the main opposition party, the Democratic Party of Korea, he stated, "They now bear responsibility for the current state affairs," and added, "Especially, they should frequently hold public hearings to gather more constructive opinions from those who supported President Yoon but have turned away due to this impeachment crisis."

Meanwhile, on the 14th, the National Assembly held a plenary session to vote on the impeachment motion against President Yoon. The motion passed with 204 votes in favor, 85 against, 3 abstentions, and 8 invalid votes out of 300 total members. With this impeachment, all of President Yoon's powers have been suspended, and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo has assumed the role of acting president. Acting President Han will take over all constitutional and legal powers, including the command of the armed forces and emergency decree authority, and will oversee the overall administration of state affairs on behalf of President Yoon.