Pressure on Constitutional Court Intensifies with Protest Visits
Conservative Base Rallied Using Judicial Unfairness Frame
The ruling party is increasing pressure on the Constitutional Court, including pushing for the initiation of an impeachment motion against Moon Hyung-bae, acting Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court. This is analyzed as an effort to rally the conservative base using a judicial unfairness frame amid the final stages of the impeachment crisis against President Yoon Seok-yeol.
According to political circles on the 14th, Kang Seung-gyu, a member of the People Power Party, is gathering lawmakers to co-sponsor the "Impeachment Motion Against Constitutional Court Justices." Currently, Park Deok-heum, Na Kyung-won, and Kim Min-jeon have signed on as co-sponsors.
In the impeachment motion, Rep. Kang stated, "Justice Moon Hyung-bae's words and actions can be interpreted as support for a specific party and candidate," adding, "This clearly violates the political neutrality required by the Constitution, laws, and regulations." The reasons for impeachment include violations of the Constitution and laws during President Yoon's impeachment trial process, and breaches of the constitutional duty of political neutrality by Constitutional Court justices in the course of their duties.
The ruling party's criticism of the Constitutional Court does not stop there. Recently, party leadership directly visited the Constitutional Court to raise issues of fairness. On the 12th, Kwon Seong-dong, floor leader of the People Power Party, visited the Constitutional Court in protest and said, "The very fact that they said they would prioritize other cases immediately after the impeachment motion against President Yoon was filed reveals political bias," adding, "If trials continue to be conducted in a biased and unfair manner like this, it will accelerate national division." This was Kwon's third protest visit to the Constitutional Court, following visits on the 6th and 22nd of last month.
Prominent presidential candidates from the ruling party also added their voices. On the 12th, Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon criticized, "If procedural fairness in the Constitutional Court's trial is not perfectly conveyed to the public, even if a decision is made, many citizens may disagree," adding, "This is neither helpful for the country's future nor for maintaining the judiciary's authority." Former Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Won Hee-ryong also held a press conference the same day, sharply criticizing, "The Constitutional Court is showing the appearance of a 'Constitution Escape Court' that runs away from the Constitution."
The ruling party's increased pressure on the Constitutional Court is interpreted as a strategic move to consolidate the conservative base. President Yoon's message highlighting judicial bias has led to rising approval ratings, and the party aims to continue this public sentiment.
There is also an interpretation that this is a strategic move considering an early presidential election scenario. Rather than directly defending President Yoon, the party is preparing for the post-impeachment trial period by framing the issue around judicial fairness. Even if the impeachment motion is accepted, absorbing the divided public opinion regarding the Constitutional Court's decision could offset the shock. Political commentator Park Sang-byeong said, "Even if the impeachment trial results come out, they are building a justification to complain that it is unfair," adding, "They believe that the more the public is angry about the impeachment trial, the stronger the party's support base will become."
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