Opposition Members of the Legislation and Judiciary Committee Petition the Constitutional Court for President Yoon's Impeachment

"Delayed Verdict Increases Public Anxiety"

As the Constitutional Court's ruling on the impeachment trial of President Yoon Seok-yeol approaches, voices from the opposition camp are growing louder, urging a swift verdict.

On the afternoon of the 18th, members of the Democratic Party of Korea and the Party for National Innovation, belonging to the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee, held a press conference in front of the Constitutional Court in Jongno-gu, Seoul, stating, "The final judgment on the respondent Yoon Seok-yeol is being delayed, increasing public anxiety and division."

They emphasized, "As the ruling on respondent Yoon Seok-yeol is delayed, public anxiety is rising, and the national crisis caused by political division is compounding. The rebellion is ongoing, and the people are spending sleepless nights or coming out onto cold streets, crying out for the stability of the Republic of Korea."

They continued, "The respondent's claim that the National Assembly's frequent impeachment motions made martial law inevitable has been overturned by the Constitutional Court justices' decision. The respondent's argument that martial law was a decree is judged to be invalid according to the wise decision of the Constitutional Court justices."

They added, "We are well aware that the Constitutional Court justices are meticulously reviewing the evidence," and "We repeatedly petition for the prompt dismissal of respondent Yoon Seok-yeol."

Opposition party members, including Park Beom-gye, the opposition party secretary of the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee, were waiting on the 18th in front of the Constitutional Court in Jongno-gu, Seoul, to submit a "Petition for Prompt Dismissal of Respondent Yoon Seok-yeol." They attempted to submit the petition at the civil affairs office but were blocked by supporters of President Yoon, so they decided to submit it by mail and withdrew. Photo by Yonhap News Agency

Party leader Lee Jae-myung posted on his Facebook on the same day under the title 'The Constitutional Court Must Deliver a Swift Verdict,' saying, "Who among the people can accept that the Constitutional Court is delaying the ruling on President Yoon's impeachment trial by starting arguments on the impeachment trial of Minister of Justice Park Sung-jae?" He pointed out, "It is hard to understand that the Constitutional Court, which said 'the president's impeachment trial is the top priority,' is delaying the verdict by starting to hear other cases."

Lee emphasized, "We must end the national turmoil as soon as possible," and "We request a swift dismissal ruling so that the people no longer have to endure hardship or lose their lives and can finally sleep peacefully."

As of this day, more than three weeks after the final arguments in President Yoon's impeachment trial concluded, the Constitutional Court has not announced the date for the ruling and continues deliberations. This marks the longest deliberation period in the history of presidential impeachment trials.