Final Push by Ruling and Opposition Parties to Pressure Constitutional Court on Yoon's Release

Ruling Party Ramps Up Momentum... Files Complaint Against Corruption Investigation Office Chief
Attacks Procedural Legitimacy of Impeachment Trial
Five Opposition Parties Unite Again Until Verdict Day
Focuses on Criticizing Prosecution... Hunger Strikes and Rallies Continue

As the political variable of President Yoon Seok-yeol's release emerged, the ruling and opposition parties are putting all their efforts into a final public opinion battle ahead of the Constitutional Court's impeachment trial verdict. This is closely related to the calculation that it could influence the timing and content of the Constitutional Court's decision. There is also the judgment that even if an early presidential election becomes a reality, it is important to seize the initial momentum.

President Yoon Seok-yeol, who was released, is greeting supporters as he gets out of the security vehicle in front of Seoul Detention Center in Uiwang-si, Gyeonggi-do on the 8th. Photo by Yonhap News

On the 10th, Kwon Young-se, the emergency committee chairman, said at an emergency committee meeting held at the National Assembly, "Since the Constitutional Court used investigation records such as suspect interrogation statements as evidence despite legal controversies, we need to look at the court's ruling that pointed out the unfairness of the investigation."

The Constitutional Court is taking the position that procedural issues in the impeachment trial should be resolved and the concluded arguments should be resumed. There were also claims that President Yoon's impeachment should be dismissed or rejected. On the 9th, Rep. Na Kyung-won said at a National Assembly press conference, "I hope the Constitutional Court does not take lightly the significance of this president's release cancellation decision."

They are also intensifying their offensive against the opposition parties. When the Democratic Party mentioned the impeachment of Prosecutor General Shim Woo-jung, the People Power Party responded with a pre-announcement of a complaint against Oh Dong-woon, the head of the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Office. Kwon Seong-dong, the floor leader of the People Power Party, said, "We will hold the Corruption Investigation Office accountable for its illegal acts to the end," and added, "We will definitely abolish the Corruption Investigation Office." It is also noteworthy that the People Power Party leadership visited President Yoon's residence on the 9th. Chief spokesperson Shin Dong-wook said, "Emergency Committee Chairman Kwon Young-se and Floor Leader Kwon Seong-dong met with President Yoon for 30 minutes."

Members of the Democratic Party's Internal Investigation Team, including Team Leader Chu Mi-ae, are holding a press conference before heading to the Supreme Prosecutors' Office in Seocho-gu, Seoul on the 10th to meet with Prosecutor General Shim Woo-jung. Photo by Yonhap News

The opposition, which had been assuming an early presidential election as a foregone conclusion, is now rallying again with the dismissal of President Yoon as the top priority, using his release as a turning point. The opposition has increased the level of pressure from overnight sit-ins to outdoor rallies.

The five opposition parties (Democratic Party, Party for National Innovation, Basic Income Party, Progressive Party, and Social Democratic Party) filed a complaint with the Corruption Investigation Office on the same day against Prosecutor General Shim Woo-jung on charges of 'abuse of authority.' They warned that if Shim does not immediately resign regarding the prosecution's abandonment of an immediate appeal against President Yoon's release, they will push for impeachment. Park Chan-dae, the floor leader of the Democratic Party, said at the highest committee meeting held at the National Assembly that day, "He wasted time unnecessarily, delayed the indictment of President Yoon, provided an excuse, and bought time for the culprit to escape and destroy evidence. Prosecutor Shim is the mastermind behind all these situations."

The opposition will attend rallies with civil society every day and continue overnight sit-ins until the Constitutional Court delivers the impeachment verdict on President Yoon. Even the potential candidates within the Democratic Party's anti-Lee Jae-myung faction have stopped internal criticism for now and are united in calling for President Yoon's dismissal.

Former Gyeongnam Governor Kim Kyung-soo began a hunger strike near Gyeongbokgung Station in Seoul from 9 p.m. on the 9th, urging President Yoon's dismissal. Gyeonggi Governor Kim Dong-yeon also directly criticized, saying, "The released ringleader is talking about 'rule of law' while further dividing the country."