Yoon's 'Request for Dismissal'... Presented Constitutional Amendment as 'Final Mission'

Presidential Office Says, "We Hope Constitutional Amendment Will Open a New Era"

President Yoon Suk-yeol is delivering his final statement at the 11th impeachment trial hearing held at the Constitutional Court in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 25th. 2025.2.25. Photo by the Constitutional Court

President Yoon Suk-yeol's statement on the 25th during the final oral argument of the impeachment trial, expressing his intention to pursue 'constitutional amendment' and 'political reform' if reinstated to office, is a noteworthy point. It is known that President Yoon has long prepared his final statement, viewing constitutional amendment as his 'last mission' to unify a divided nation.

In his final statement at the 11th hearing held at the Constitutional Court the previous afternoon, President Yoon said, "If I am reinstated to office, I will focus the latter half of my term on pushing forward constitutional amendment and political reform to adjust the '1987 system' to fit our current reality and to hand down a proper country to future generations." This implies revising the current constitutional system established by the 1987 direct presidential election amendment in accordance with changing times.

Initially, there were speculations in political circles that President Yoon's final statement would include constitutional amendment, but his legal team denied this. Regarding this, a staff member involved in drafting the message explained, "It does not mean that constitutional amendment will not be mentioned at all, but rather that it is not being presented as a conditional offer to avoid impeachment." He added, "President Yoon is determined to pursue constitutional amendment even if it means shortening his term," and "He has been contemplating and thinking about constitutional amendment for a long time."

The opposition parties sharply criticized that President Yoon, facing difficulties, is using a shortened-term constitutional amendment as his last card, calling it a political calculation. However, the presidential office staff rebutted, saying that the determination to push for constitutional amendment was not a decision made in a short period. Through a press release that day, the presidential office stated, "The presidential office hopes that the president's will to amend the constitution will be realized so that our politics can break free from past hardships and open a new era."

A senior official from the presidential office remained tight-lipped about President Yoon's final statement the previous day, saying "No comment," and added, "It seems the public will evaluate it, and it is not a matter for the staff to mention," showing restraint. This is interpreted as being conscious of criticism that the final oral argument did not include a message of acceptance of the Constitutional Court's decision or a voice to unify a nation divided left and right.

However, the presidential office places significance on the inclusion of an apology for causing inconvenience to the public due to martial law. A presidential office official said, "We hope for the dismissal of the impeachment," and added, "Presidential office staff will do their best in their respective positions to prepare for President Yoon's return."