Park Chan-dae: "Yoon Consistently Blames Others Despite Clear Unconstitutionality"
Also Urges People Power Party to "Apologize to the Public"
'Ma Eun-hyuk Appointment' Could Affect Yoon's Impeachment... Ruling Expected Tomorrow
Park Chan-dae, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is speaking at the Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul on the 26th. Photo by Yonhap News
President Yoon Suk-yeol made a bold move in his final argument during the impeachment trial by stating that he would pursue constitutional amendments upon returning to office. However, the Democratic Party criticized him, saying he "consistently relied on lies and sophistry until the very end" and called him "beyond redemption." They also pointed out that the People Power Party, which opposes President Yoon's impeachment, "should apologize to the public."
Park Chan-dae, the Democratic Party floor leader, emphasized at the party's supreme council meeting held at the National Assembly on the morning of the 26th, "He clearly declared an unconstitutional and illegal martial law, and despite mobilizing armed forces to seize the National Assembly and the National Election Commission, he refuses to admit his mistakes and consistently blames others," adding, "it is clear that he has no intention of upholding the Constitution and the law."
Park also stated, "It is unimaginable to entrust such a person with military command again, and there is no law that forbids declaring martial law again," adding, "The fate of the Republic of Korea rests on the Constitutional Court's decision. We hope the constitutional justices will make their ruling solely based on the Constitution and their conscience."
Criticism was also raised regarding President Yoon's final argument, where he devoted a significant portion of his speech to criticizing the opposition party rather than apologizing or expressing willingness to accept the Constitutional Court's ruling. Kim Min-seok, a Democratic Party supreme council member, said at the meeting, "Above all, there was no message of acceptance (in the final argument)," and criticized, "If the Constitutional Court decides to impeach, it is a prelude to refusal to accept the decision, disregarding the ensuing national chaos."
Regarding President Yoon's mention of returning to office and focusing the latter half of his term on political reform, the opposition parties unanimously called for the Constitutional Court to promptly issue an impeachment ruling.
Jeon Hyun-hee, a Democratic Party supreme council member, said, "Even if the sky splits in two, 'Yoon Suk-yeol, the destroyer of the Constitution,' must be impeached," adding, "The role of the Constitutional Court, the last bastion for protecting the constitutional order and democracy, is crucial." Park Chan-dae emphasized, "Although it is already late, the People Power Party should publicly declare their unconditional acceptance of the Constitutional Court's decision and apologize to the public for their past words and actions that denied the Constitution and the law."
However, inside and outside political circles, there is an analysis that the Constitutional Court's ruling on the authority dispute related to nominee Ma Eun-hyuk, a constitutional justice candidate, expected on the 27th, could become a variable in President Yoon's impeachment. If the Constitutional Court rules that "the non-appointment of nominee Ma is unconstitutional," it is highly likely that Choi Sang-mok, the acting Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance, will swiftly proceed with the appointment. Since the impeachment trial arguments for President Yoon have already concluded, the possibility of nominee Ma participating is low even if appointed, but depending on the justices' discussions, there is a chance to resume arguments and go through renewal procedures to make a ruling with a full nine-member bench. In that case, the ruling on President Yoon's impeachment trial would inevitably be delayed.
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