27 Lawyers Call for "Swift Dismissal" Ahead of Yoon's Impeachment

Gwangju and Jeonnam Attorneys Issue "One-Line Statements"
"The Longer the Ruling Is Delayed, the Longer the Silence Lasts"

"We want our hearts to welcome spring as well."

This is a sentence written in a single line by attorney Choi Guksin. Ahead of the Constitutional Court's ruling on the impeachment of President Yoon Sukyeol, attorneys from the Gwangju and Jeonnam regions delivered long messages in short words.

According to the legal community on the 2nd, nine attorneys from the Gwangju Bar Association proposed on the 31st of last month that members participate in a "one-line statement." At that time, the Constitutional Court had not even set a date for the ruling. The attorneys decided to write short sentences along with their real names. Participation continued for two days, and a total of 27 people added their names.

On the 2nd, ribbons calling for the dismissal of President Yoon Seokyoul were hung near Anguk Station in Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

They wrote sentences such as, "Power that does not abide by the law is corrupt," and "Only a swift removal from office is true rule of law." Other statements included, "Impeachment is not a matter of political camps but of defending democracy," and "Please protect the Constitution and create a history we will not be ashamed of for future generations."

This proposal follows the Gwangju Bar Association's call on the 12th of last month for a prompt decision. It was also influenced by 414 writers, including author Han Kang, who urged the removal of President Yoon through their own "one-line statement."

Attorney Choi Mok criticized the delay in the ruling, saying, "You've been delivering judgments for over 20 years, is it really that difficult?" Attorney Kim Sungjin urged action by citing the Constitution: "Yoon Sukyeol also has the right to be swiftly removed from office / Constitution Article 27, Clause 3."

Additionally, after the Constitutional Court set the ruling date for 11 a.m. on the 4th, even more statements were collected. Attorney Choi Jeonghee wrote, "I hope that at 11 a.m. on April 4, the constitutional order will be upheld through a decision to remove from office." Attorney Lee Soa wrote, "I want to once again see the Constitution I learned in my undergraduate classroom as soon as possible. Immediately remove the ringleader of the rebellion."

All submitted statements were accompanied by real names. Among the participants were attorneys Park Indong, Wi Seohyun, So Byeongseon, Ryu Ri, and Baek Donggeun, who have been active in public interest litigation and human rights advocacy in the Gwangju area.