Kim Jaewon: "No Serious Illegal Grounds"
Lee Geontae: "Legally Clear... Investigation to Expand After Removal"
Ahead of the Constitutional Court's ruling on the impeachment trial of President Yoon Seok-yeol, former People Power Party Supreme Council member Kim Jae-won predicted dismissal, stating there are no serious illegal grounds for impeachment, while Lee Geon-tae, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, anticipated removal from office, citing clear legal grounds.
President Yoon Seok-yeol, who was released, is seen getting out of the car and greeting supporters on the 8th of last month as he left Seoul Detention Center in Uiwang-si, Gyeonggi-do. Photo by Yonhap News
On the 4th, former Supreme Council member Kim said on YTN Radio's News Fighting, "Of course, I am predicting dismissal (a 4-4 dismissal)," adding, "Judging from the attitude and expressions recently shown by Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung, it does not seem that impeachment will be upheld." He continued, "If impeachment were to be upheld, at the very least, Lee would have to make a fundamental statement that he would not accept the ruling," but "he has not said he will absolutely accept it and has rather stirred up anxiety."
Kim predicted dismissal of the impeachment due to the absence of serious illegal grounds and lack of credibility of evidence. He said, "If there are constitutional justices who question the credibility of the testimonies of former National Intelligence Service First Deputy Director Hong Jang-won and former Army Special Forces Commander Kwak Jong-geun, the evidence is very limited," adding, "Even if the arrest testimony is acknowledged, nothing has actually been executed." He further explained, "If subordinates have no actual intention to carry out the acts, it is not a serious situation," and "Regarding the issue of seriousness, constitutional justices may have doubts and oppose removing a democratically legitimate and elected president on an impulsive basis."
Kim analyzed that a '5-3 deadlock' likely continued among the constitutional justices. He said, "There have been many articles about the deadlock, and the possibility was very high," adding, "The Democratic Party also mentioned not just impeachment but multiple or simultaneous impeachments if Ma Eun-hyuk, a nominee for constitutional justice, was not appointed. Without Ma's appointment, an early presidential election would not be possible."
Tension is mounting at the Grand Bench of the Constitutional Court in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the 3rd, one day before the Constitutional Court's ruling on the impeachment trial of President Yoon Seok-yeol. April 3, 2025 Photo by Joint Press Corps
On the other hand, Lee emphasized on the same radio program, "I am confident in an 8-0 removal." He said, "Five grounds for prosecution have been clearly recognized by evidence, and the entire nation witnessed the (December 3 emergency martial law)," adding, "There is no way the justices would deny it, and legally it is clear."
Lee analyzed that the delay in the Constitutional Court's ruling on President Yoon's impeachment is related to the second trial verdict on Democratic Party leader Lee's violation of the Public Official Election Act. He said, "Although no internal information from the Constitutional Court has been revealed, a reasonable inference is that the justices judged it better to issue the impeachment ruling after seeing the second trial result of Lee's Public Official Election Act case," adding, "It is unclear whether they discussed this to gain recognition for the court's fairness or if some justices delayed by citing other reasons, but it appears so."
Lee refuted the speculation that a deadlock continued, calling it "completely baseless and incorrect." He said, "If the removal decision had been made before Lee's second trial verdict, it could have caused misunderstandings that the impeachment ruling influenced Lee's trial," adding, "Political criticism of the Constitutional Court's ruling could arise, so they may have agreed to rule after the election law verdict." He further explained, "Because the process took time, some say there was an internal conflict or deadlock," and "The Democratic Party pressured the appointment of nominee Ma as a precaution against the worst-case scenario."
Lee predicted that if President Yoon is removed from office, investigations would expand beyond the charge of rebellion. He said, "While the president is in office, only charges of rebellion and foreign exchange crimes can be prosecuted. Other charges are not prosecuted at all," adding, "If Yoon is removed, additional prosecutions such as abuse of power, the case involving political broker Myung Tae-gyun, and allegations of corruption related to the Yangpyeong Expressway could also be possible."
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