93 Days Since Impeachment Motion Passed
Longest Deliberation Ahead of Impeachment Verdict
Some Suggest Decision May Come After Lee Jaemyung's Verdict on the 26th
Pro- and Anti-Impeachment Rallies to Be Held Daily
The Constitutional Court is continuing its longest deliberation ahead of the impeachment trial verdict for President Yoon Seok-yeol. As of the 17th, the case against President Yoon has been ongoing for 93 days since the impeachment motion was passed, and 20 days since the conclusion of the final arguments. This far exceeds the 63 days for former President Roh Moo-hyun and 91 days for former President Park Geun-hye. Meanwhile, the pro- and anti-impeachment rallies held across the city center are becoming increasingly intense.
The Constitutional Court is expected to deliver a conclusion on President Yoon Seok-yeol's impeachment trial within this week. On the 17th, police officers were on guard duty in front of the Constitutional Court in Jongno-gu, Seoul, while supporters of President Yoon were shouting slogans in front of them. 2025.03.17 Photo by Yoon Dong-ju
Since concluding the final arguments on the 25th of last month, the Constitutional Court justices have been holding daily deliberations, discussing issues based on their individual reviews. However, the date for the verdict remains uncertain. Considering that the Court typically notifies the parties 2 to 3 days before the verdict, the earliest expected date is late this week. Moreover, the first hearing for the impeachment trial of Minister of Justice Park Sung-jae is scheduled for the 18th.
The prolonged deliberation on President Yoon’s case is believed to be because the bench is carefully considering every aspect until the last moment to avoid any controversy regarding the verdict’s timing and outcome. President Yoon’s defense team has continuously raised issues with the Court’s trial process, arguing that the schedule is too tight and that prosecution records should not be admitted as evidence. Amid this, the Seoul Central District Court, which is handling the criminal trial on President Yoon’s charges of rebellion, accepted a request to cancel detention, and the prosecution chose not to file an immediate appeal. The Constitutional Court cannot ignore these developments.
Some in the political sphere speculate that the Court might postpone the verdict until after the second trial verdict on the criminal case for Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party, scheduled for the 26th. Lee Jun-seok, a member of the Reform New Party, said, “Considering social stability, the Constitutional Court will likely make its decision after observing the outcome of Lee’s second trial verdict on the 26th.” Na Kyung-won, a member of the People Power Party, stated that the impeachment verdict should come after the 26th, warning, “If it comes before the 26th, it would indicate reckless political considerations, bias, and a deliberately rushed trial.”
As the “Constitutional Court’s time” lengthens, the power struggle between pro- and anti-impeachment rallies held in downtown Seoul is intensifying. Over the weekend, the pro-impeachment side held a rally around the Jongno area in Seoul. According to unofficial police estimates, 42,500 participants filled all lanes from Anguk-dong Rotary to Gyeongbokgung Station. Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung has refrained from attending the rally due to reports of potential threats. The anti-impeachment side was divided between the Gwanghwamun rally organized by the Korea Righting Movement Headquarters and the Yeouido rally by the conservative Christian group Save Korea.
This week, pro- and anti-impeachment rallies are being held daily, regardless of weekdays or weekends. The Emergency Action for Immediate Resignation of Yoon Seok-yeol and Social Reform plans to stage a sit-in every evening at 7 PM in front of Gyeongbokgung Station until the impeachment verdict date is set. The anti-impeachment rallies, led by Pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon of Sarang Jeil Church and others, are reported to be held in front of Dongwha Duty Free Shop in Jongno-gu. The police have declared the highest emergency duty level, “Gapho Emergency,” on the day of the verdict, deploying 337 riot police units and about 20,000 personnel nationwide. Additionally, they have installed barbed wire atop the Constitutional Court’s walls and surrounded the nearby area with vehicle barricades in preparation for any eventuality.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
