The Frontline of Political Conflict... The Constitutional Court Front Turned Battlefield

As the Constitutional Court's ruling on President Yoon Seok-yeol's impeachment trial is delayed, the area in front of the Constitutional Court has emerged as the main front line of political confrontation.

Democratic Party of Korea lawmakers hold a press conference calling for the immediate impeachment in front of the Constitutional Court in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 21st. 2025.03.21 Photo by Yoon Dong-ju

On the morning of the 21st, lawmakers from the Democratic Party of Korea held consecutive press conferences in front of the Constitutional Court, urging the immediate removal of President Yoon. The Democratic Party lawmakers plan to form groups by standing committees and hold press conferences in front of the main gate of the Constitutional Court during the arrival and departure times of the constitutional justices, calling for President Yoon's dismissal.

Members of the National Assembly's Industry, Trade, Small and Medium Enterprises, and Venture Businesses Committee and the Agriculture, Food, Rural Affairs, Oceans and Fisheries Committee held a press conference at 8:30 a.m. that day, stating, "Despite various protests such as walking marches to Gwanghwamun, sit-ins, fasting, and head shaving, the Constitutional Court's ruling is delayed," and added, "We have decided to carry out all possible struggles."

Re-elected Democratic Party lawmakers held a press conference in front of the Constitutional Court from 9:20 a.m., expressing concern that "while the Constitutional Court's ruling is delayed, the values of democracy and the rule of law are collapsing." The Democratic Party defined the 'egg attack' incident against lawmaker Baek Hye-ryun in front of the Constitutional Court the previous day as "an act of violence and intimidation against the Constitutional Court."

Members of the People Power Party hold a press conference opposing impeachment in front of the Constitutional Court in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 21st. 2025.03.21 Photo by Yoon Dong-ju

The People Power Party is also holding counter-press conferences in front of the Constitutional Court, such as the 'Press Conference on Dismissing or Rejecting President Yoon's Impeachment Trial.' Thirty lawmakers, including Kim Ki-hyun, Na Kyung-won, Yoon Sang-hyun, and Park Dae-chul, held relay press conferences in front of the main gate of the Constitutional Court that morning, urging the dismissal or rejection of President Yoon's impeachment trial. On this day, the lawmakers also resumed direct attacks on the Constitutional Court, which they had previously restrained.

Lawmaker Kim Ki-hyun, who read the press statement, listed events that occurred during the trial dates, including the Constitutional Court's concentrated hearing of President Yoon's impeachment trial, the examination of the stopwatch witness, the president's side's refusal of witness questioning and evidence investigation, and the change of the accusation from high treason to rebellion. He urged, "Since the truth that the impeachment plot and rebellion accusation have been fabricated has been clearly revealed, the impeachment request against the president should be dismissed." He added, "I have heard that the Constitutional Court is repeatedly persuading dissenting opinions to reach a unanimous decision, but this should not and cannot happen," calling for an independent judgment.

Following Kim, lawmaker Na Kyung-won took the microphone and said, "We have all clearly witnessed how the Constitutional Court has failed to follow due process so far," and claimed, "Almost all procedures of the Constitutional Court have violated due process in a comprehensive manner."