Even on the Day of the Constitutional Court Ruling, Parties Remain Divided
Different Views on President Yoon's Response if Impeachment Is Accepted
Ruling Party: "He Will Deliver a Message of Unity"
Opposition: "Concerned He May Refuse to Accept the Decision"
As the Constitutional Court's ruling on the impeachment trial of President Yoon Suk-yeol approaches, the political sphere is showing anxious signs, oscillating between optimism and pessimism. While the ruling party clearly expects dismissal or rejection, the opposition party is confident of acceptance.
On the 4th, members of the ruling party expressed caution regarding the Constitutional Court's decision but mentioned the possibility of dismissal.
Shin Dong-wook, chief spokesperson of the People Power Party, said on CBS Radio, "If more than six justices had supported impeachment as the Democratic Party thinks, there would be no reason for such a delay. I believe the decision was made in a deadlock of about 5 to 3." He added, "Since the required six votes for acceptance were not secured, the ruling was postponed, but as the resignation date approached, the verdict was delivered."
Jung Kwang-jae, spokesperson for the People Power Party, also said on MBC Radio, "Is it meaningful to predict the outcome just half an hour before 3:30?" but introduced, "There is talk that the judiciary's judgment has become very strict, increasing the possibility of dismissal or rejection, as hopes within the party rise with President Yoon's release from detention and Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung's acquittal in the second trial." He continued, "There were various rumors during the process of setting the verdict date," and added, "Considering these talks collectively, the party expects that the possibility of dismissal or rejection has increased compared to when the impeachment trial first began."
The opposition party sent a message expressing confidence in an 8:0 ruling.
Tension is mounting on the 3rd at the Grand Chamber of the Constitutional Court in Jongno-gu, Seoul, one day before the Constitutional Court's ruling on the impeachment trial of President Yoon Seok-yeol. 2025.04.03 Photo by Joint Press Corps
Kim Seong-hoe, spokesperson for the Democratic Party, said, "8 to 0 dismissal," adding, "I believe there is no other answer." Kim stated, "Those who studied the constitution and became constitutional justices cannot say that all five given tasks were lawful."
Han Min-soo, spokesperson for the Democratic Party, predicted, "It will be accepted unconditionally," and said, "We do not even consider the five issues (△Unconstitutional and illegal declaration of emergency martial law △Issuance of unconstitutional Martial Law Proclamation No. 1 △Interference with and attempt to seize National Assembly activities △Attempt to seize the Central Election Commission △Orders to arrest politicians and legal professionals) as points of contention." He criticized, "If this case is ruled unconstitutional, how can any president use the military in a situation where the opposition holds the majority in the National Assembly?"
Regarding the ruling party's claim that the Democratic Party will not accept the verdict, Han criticized, "It is a typical perpetrator's logic," and said, "We are the victims, so why are you bullying the Democratic Party and Leader Lee's people?"
Concerns arose over whether President Yoon would accept the ruling if the Constitutional Court decides to accept the impeachment and remove him from office. When asked about the possibility of non-acceptance, spokesperson Jung said, "I do not think President Yoon will issue a message of non-acceptance," adding, "As a responsible politician and president, he should accept the Constitutional Court's decision for national unity, avoid division, and focus on how South Korea should move forward." On the other hand, spokesperson Han expressed concerns about non-acceptance. He said, "He resisted when he was arrested and later sent messages inciting the far-right," adding, "Although I do not expect it, a message of non-acceptance would be neither a duty to the people nor anything but a crime against history and the people."
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