Park Jiwon on April 4 Ruling: "'Three Deaths' in the Date... Expecting 8-0 Approval"

Park Jiwon Predicts 8-0 Ruling for Yoon's Impeachment on YTN Radio
Says "Lee Jae-myung Will Compete in Presidential Primary"

With the Constitutional Court scheduled to deliver its ruling on the impeachment trial of President Yoon Suk-yeol at 11 a.m. on April 4, Park Jiwon, a lawmaker from the Democratic Party of Korea, claimed, "Isn't the impeachment verdict set for 11 a.m. on April 4? 11 a.m. is the 'Si' hour." He added, "The date 4·4·4 contains three instances of the character 'Sa' (meaning 'death'), so he will certainly fall." This is interpreted as suggesting that the Constitutional Court will uphold the impeachment and remove President Yoon from office.

Park Jiwon, Democratic Party of Korea member. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

In an interview with YTN Radio's 'Shin Yul's News Jeomyeonseungbu' on April 1, Park said regarding President Yoon's impeachment trial, "I expect an 8-0 decision to uphold the impeachment." However, he also added, "We must not let our guard down until the very last moment. The Constitutional Court places great importance on both the law and public opinion, so we must unite strongly and show our support to ensure (President Yoon) is impeached, and make the Constitutional Court feel that support."

Park stated, "Is there really any Constitutional Court justice who would deliver a dissenting or dismissive opinion on such an obvious case of rebellion and coup d'etat?" He continued, "If any justice were to write such an opinion or deliver such a verdict, that justice would be a historical criminal and a second Lee Wan-yong. Their descendants would never be able to live in Korea." He also noted, "There have been three cases where an incumbent president has faced impeachment. In the case of former President Roh Moo-hyun, the impeachment was dismissed due to strong public opposition. For former President Park Geun-hye, it was upheld because public support for impeachment was overwhelming. In President Yoon's case, the hearing ended early and deliberations have continued, which suggests that while there was no consensus among the justices, they have been considering various factors due to divided public opinion."

He added, "However, during the National Assembly's Legislation and Judiciary Committee, opposition lawmakers conveyed the public sentiment directly and candidly to the Secretary General of the Constitutional Court. When the message that 'the eight Constitutional Court justices could ruin the country' was delivered, the decision was set for the 4th. Therefore, until 11 a.m. on the 4th, until we hear 'Yoon Suk-yeol is removed from office,' we must remain vigilant and continue to stir public opinion."

Regarding comments by Park Hong-keun, another Democratic Party lawmaker, suggesting he would not accept the Constitutional Court's decision if President Yoon's impeachment is dismissed, Park Jiwon said, "That is a premature conclusion. Ultimately, we all have no choice but to accept the Constitutional Court's ruling." However, he also stated, "If the impeachment is dismissed, I believe there will be a revolution. How could such an obvious case of rebellion be dismissed or rejected? That is inconceivable. Regardless, we must accept the Constitutional Court's decision, but if it is dismissed, I believe a revolution will occur."

When asked about the possibility of Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, being nominated as a candidate in an early presidential election, Park said, "(Lee) will run." He added, "Personally, rather than a nomination by acclamation, it would be better if other candidates also compete in the primaries. That would help verify the candidates and expand the choices for the public, and it would also keep the party on its toes and make it more humble."