Hwang Kyo-ahn and Anti-Election Fraud and Corruption Prevention Group Make Provocative Remarks
Hint at "Riots" While Submitting Petition to Dismiss Impeachment to Constitutional Court
Pro- and Anti-Impeachment Groups Hold Relay Protests in Front of the Constitutional Court
Former Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn, a member of the legal team representing President Yoon Suk-yeol in the impeachment trial, made a provocative statement on the 5th, saying, "If the Constitutional Court accepts the impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol, uncontrollable riots will break out." The Anti-Election Fraud and Corruption Prevention Group, led by Hwang, held a press conference in front of the Constitutional Court on the same day and submitted a petition urging the dismissal of the impeachment.
Former Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn is attending as a defense attorney for President Yoon Suk-yeol at the 7th impeachment trial hearing held at the Constitutional Court in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the 11th of last month. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung
According to former Prime Minister Hwang, the petition included the names of 1,054,239 people (approximately 1.7 million in total). It is reported that the petition was divided into 106 boxes, each containing 10,000 signatures, and submitted to the Constitutional Court's civil affairs office. Hwang said, "If the Constitutional Court accepts the impeachment, uncontrollable and spreading riots will occur. No one will be able to control them."
The group has been holding protest rallies accompanied by verbal abuse since the 17th of last month at an apartment complex in Jongno-gu, Seoul, presumed to be the residence of Moon Hyung-bae, acting Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court. In response, the civic group Candlelight Action recently filed a complaint against former Prime Minister Hwang and the group for threats and violations of the Act on the Punishment of Violent Acts (assault and formation activities of groups), and the police are reportedly investigating the matter.
Another civic group, Citizens' Action for Judicial Justice, also stated, "(Former Prime Minister Hwang) has made statements inciting physical attacks on the Constitutional Court or individual constitutional justices, and should be held accountable for incitement to rebellion." They have filed charges against him for incitement to rebellion and obstruction of official duties.
Former Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn is making a denunciation speech at an anti-impeachment rally for President Yoon Seok-yeol held in front of Sungkyunkwan University in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on February 28. Photo by Yonhap News
In front of the Constitutional Court, President Yoon's People's Defense Team has also been holding relay press conferences and overnight protests since the previous day. On the 4th, they held a press conference announcing, "Young people will conduct a filibuster (unlimited debate) until the presidential impeachment ruling is delivered."
Spokesperson Kim Jeong-hee said, "The young people did not gather to agree with election fraud. They voluntarily gathered to condemn the constitutional justices who are conducting a hasty trial." Kim Se-bi, affiliated with Yonsei University Graduate School, said, "I stand here to join the president who aims to eradicate anti-state forces such as the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions," adding, "This is a fight to protect the constitutional order of the free Republic of Korea."
Conversely, groups urging the acceptance of President Yoon's impeachment have been holding relay rallies nearby, maintaining a tense atmosphere ahead of the Constitutional Court's impeachment ruling.
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