[AK Radio] Fierce Political Battle Over 'Acceptance'... Will Yoon Send a Message?

Constitutional Court's Impeachment Ruling Likely on the 21st
Concerns Over Aftereffects as Ruling and Opposition Parties Clash, Urging Each Other to "Accept the Decision"
Calls for Acceptance Messages from President Yoon and Party Leaders

The Constitutional Court is expected to set the date for the impeachment trial ruling on President Yoon Seok-yeol as early as today or tomorrow, heightening tensions in the political sphere. In particular, fierce disputes are ongoing between the ruling and opposition parties over whether to 'accept' the court's decision. On the 18th, the Constitutional Court will hold the first hearing on the impeachment trial of Minister of Justice Park Seong-jae at 2 p.m. If the court sets the ruling date today or tomorrow, the verdict is likely to be delivered this Thursday or Friday, especially on Friday the 21st.

As the ruling approaches, the Constitutional Court has entered an emergency state. Barbed wire similar to military fences has been installed atop the court's walls, and the surrounding area is surrounded by police bus barricades. Recently, 177 threatening posts targeting Constitutional Court justices and others have been posted online. The police have arrested 25 people so far and detained one. Posting threats can result in imprisonment of up to three years or a fine of up to 5 million won.

As conflicts between supporters and opponents of impeachment intensified, barbed wire was installed atop the Constitutional Court's fence. Photo by Yoon Dong-joo

Meanwhile, the ruling and opposition parties are intensifying their disputes over the issue of 'acceptance' of the court's decision. Kwon Seong-dong, floor leader of the People Power Party, stated, "The party's official position is to accept the Constitutional Court's decision," while Park Chan-dae, floor leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, emphasized, "The court's decision must naturally be respected." However, the People Power Party demands a declaration of acceptance from the Democratic Party, and the Democratic Party counters by saying, "Don't just say it; show it through actions."

President Yoon Seok-yeol and Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, have yet to officially issue messages accepting the court's decision. Yoon's lawyer, Seok Dong-hyun, said, "He will naturally accept it," but the president himself has never released a message. Lee Jae-myung also made similar remarks during a YouTube appearance but has not made any official statements.

This differs from the situation during the impeachment of former President Park Geun-hye in 2017. At that time, the floor leaders of the four ruling and opposition parties officially declared their acceptance of the Constitutional Court's ruling. Accordingly, the Constitutional Association is demanding that the National Assembly pursue a resolution to accept the ruling.

President Yoon Suk-yeol arrived in front of the residence in Hannam-dong, Seoul, on the 8th, got out of the vehicle, and greeted his supporters. Photo by Yonhap News

Particularly, the attitude of President Yoon Seok-yeol, who is the subject of the impeachment, is drawing attention. Since returning to the presidential residence from Seoul Detention Center on the 8th, President Yoon is known to be spending time reading and taking walks inside the residence without any external schedules. The Blue House stated, "There will be no external schedules until the impeachment ruling is announced," adding, "There is no change in the position of waiting calmly and composedly."

Jeong Seong-ho, a Democratic Party lawmaker and close aide to Lee Jae-myung, appeared on a broadcast and said, "There is no possibility that President Yoon will issue a preemptive acceptance message." He cited as reasons that President Yoon clenched his fist and smiled upon leaving the detention center and that many People Power Party lawmakers are making extreme remarks outside the parliament.

However, the need for the president to issue a message even immediately after the ruling continues to be raised. Former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min emphasized, "If the court dismisses the case, he can just return, but if the court accepts it, issuing an acceptance message immediately is the president's last duty."

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The current situation differs from that during former President Park Geun-hye's impeachment. Despite overwhelming public support for impeachment at that time, four deaths occurred after the ruling, leading to violent incidents. Now, with about 40% of the public opposing impeachment, there are concerns that social aftereffects could be significant following the ruling.

In this context, the role of the political sphere has become even more important. It is expected that if the ruling and opposition parties declare acceptance at the National Assembly level, followed by resolutions from lawmakers to move toward national unity, acceptance declarations from President Yoon Seok-yeol and Lee Jae-myung, and declarations from party leaders collectively take place, it will help alleviate extreme social conflicts and minimize aftereffects following the ruling.