Emergency Statement from Constitutional Scholars' Meeting
"If the Ruling Is Delayed, the Crisis Will Only Worsen... A Bold Decision Is Needed Now"
The 'Constitutional Scholars' Meeting for the Restoration of Constitutional Order' stated that it has been 108 days since the December 3 Martial Law Incident occurred and 97 days since President Yoon Seok-yeol was impeached, urging the immediate removal of President Yoon Seok-yeol to promptly restore constitutional order.
On the 18th, as the impeachment trial verdict for President Yoon Seok-yeol approaches, police barricades were erected around the Constitutional Court in Jongno-gu, Seoul, and the snow-covered court was enveloped in silence. 2025.3.18 Photo by Jo Yong-jun
On the 20th, the Constitutional Scholars' Meeting said in an emergency statement, "(Delaying the impeachment ruling) will only worsen the crisis. If you try to cross a stone bridge by tapping it but end up breaking it too much, you won't be able to cross at all. It is a time that requires bold decisions." They added, "Standing at the crossroads of the survival of the Republic of Korea, whether to move toward a hopeful future in the 21st century or fall into the abyss of oppression and suffering of the 20th century depends on the Constitutional Court's choice."
They emphasized that, based on the precedents established by the Constitutional Court and the Supreme Court so far, it is very clear that the president violated the constitution and laws in the performance of his duties. The Constitutional Scholars' Meeting argued, "Declaring martial law and mobilizing military forces to suspend the political process with the purpose of excluding the National Assembly's authority by labeling it as an anti-state organization without complying with the requirements and procedures prescribed by the constitution and laws is, in itself, a serious constitutional violation."
They pointed out that there is no will to uphold constitutional order nor even the minimum will to comply with the law. The Constitutional Scholars' Meeting stated, "After the declaration of martial law, the president used presidential security personnel as shields to obstruct the execution of arrest warrants," adding, "Not only are there false statements that clearly contradict objective facts, but also attempts to induce false testimony from witnesses, thereby denying the authority and legitimacy of investigative agencies, courts, and the Constitutional Court, continuously undermining the foundation of the rule of law."
Furthermore, the Constitutional Scholars' Meeting said, "Acts violating the law that pose a serious threat to the free democratic basic order inevitably correspond to cases where the people must revoke the status of the president as a national representative entrusted by the people during the term of office due to betrayal of the people's trust, and since the violation is very serious, the president must be immediately removed to promptly restore constitutional order."
Meanwhile, the Constitutional Court has not yet set a date for the ruling as of this day. Based on the precedent of announcing the date 2 to 3 days in advance, the ruling is expected to be after next week. The impeachment trial of President Yoon will mark its 100th day on Saturday, the 23rd. This far exceeds the previous longest impeachment trial period of former President Park Geun-hye, which lasted 91 days. Even counting from the day the Constitutional Court concluded the arguments (February 25), 23 days have passed. As the 'time of the Constitutional Court' lengthens, various analyses and theories are pouring out in the legal community and around the Constitutional Court.
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