Yoon Impeachment Trial Verdict Likely Delayed to Next Week... Constitutional Court Unable to Announce Ruling Date

Speculation Abounds Over Reasons for the Delay

The Constitutional Court did not announce the ruling date for President Yoon Seok-yeol's impeachment trial on the 19th either, effectively postponing the ruling to next week.

The Constitutional Court did not notify either the National Assembly or President Yoon's side of the ruling date by the end of business at 6 p.m. that day. It is reported that the justices held a deliberation session again but were unable to reach a conclusion.

In the legal community, the prevailing view is that if the Constitutional Court intends to issue the ruling within this week, it must notify the ruling date by that day. However, considering the drafting of the decision, administrative procedures, and consultations with the police and local governments, the possibility of notifying the ruling date on the same day or the day before is considered low.

Yonhap News

During the impeachment trial of former President Park Geun-hye in 2017, the Constitutional Court announced the ruling date after 5 p.m. two days before the ruling, on March 8. The ruling was then delivered at 11 a.m. on the 10th.

If the Constitutional Court announces the ruling date on either the 20th or 21st, the ruling is expected to be issued early next week or around the 26th to 28th.

Since concluding the oral arguments on the 25th of last month, the Constitutional Court has been holding deliberations almost daily and continuing the trial. Compared to the impeachment cases of former Presidents Roh Moo-hyun and Park Geun-hye, the period from the conclusion of oral arguments to the ruling, as well as from the receipt of the impeachment motion to the ruling, is expected to set a new record for the longest duration.

Various interpretations have emerged in the legal community regarding the delay in the ruling. Some analyses suggest that detailed issue reviews have not been completed or that the justices are coordinating opinions to reach a 'unanimous' conclusion. There is also speculation that the wording of the decision is being carefully refined and that discussions are ongoing about whether to include separate or supplementary opinions.

The Constitutional Court maintains the position that it cannot disclose any details related to the justices' deliberations.