Yongsan: "Calmly Awaiting the Verdict"
Cabinet Meeting and NSC Expected if Dismissed or Rejected
If Upheld, Must Prepare for Insurrection Investigation at Private Residence
President Yoon Seok-yeol, who was released, is getting out of the car and greeting supporters as he leaves Seoul Detention Center in Uiwang-si, Gyeonggi-do on the 8th. Photo by Yonhap News
Tension is mounting at the Yongsan Presidential Office on the 4th, the day when the impeachment trial verdict for President Yoon Suk-yeol is to be announced. As the decision by the Constitutional Court at 11 a.m. will determine whether President Yoon returns to office, there is a mixed atmosphere of anticipation and anxiety.
A presidential office official stated, "We are calmly and composedly awaiting the Constitutional Court's decision," adding, "While we hope for dismissal or rejection, we are preparing for all possible outcomes of the court's ruling." It is also reported that there will be no messages from President Yoon regarding the impeachment trial until the verdict is delivered.
On the day, President Yoon will not appear in person at the Constitutional Court but will watch the impeachment trial live broadcast on TV from his residence in Hannam-dong. If the court decides to dismiss or reject the case, President Yoon will immediately go to work at the Yongsan Presidential Office. Conversely, if the impeachment is upheld, President Yoon is expected to leave the residence and return to his private home in Seocho-dong to prepare for the ongoing investigation into charges of insurrection, which is proceeding separately from the impeachment trial.
The presidential office is bustling with activity in anticipation of President Yoon's return. On the morning of the day, aides were seen closely monitoring the court's verdict and engaging in discussions throughout the presidential office. A presidential office official said, "In preparation for the president's return, Chief Secretary Jeong Jin-seok has been holding daily morning meetings with senior secretaries to update and discuss key issues." Accordingly, upon President Yoon's return to work, a series of events such as an interim Cabinet meeting, a meeting with Cabinet members, and a National Security Council (NSC) session may follow in quick succession.
'Urgent Priority' U.S. Trade Response
The top priority upon President Yoon's return to duty is expected to be trade response with the United States. Since U.S. President Donald Trump imposed reciprocal tariffs on all countries on the 2nd (local time), making trade war response an urgent issue, preparing for this is critical. President Yoon plans to prioritize a phone call between the South Korea and U.S. heads of state, which has not yet occurred since the Trump administration began, and is also reportedly planning a visit to the U.S. as soon as possible.
It is also anticipated that President Yoon, who proposed a constitutional amendment to shorten the presidential term during his final argument at the Constitutional Court in February, will raise his voice on political reform. There is growing expectation that after his return, President Yoon will concretely outline his vision for governance through a public address, including his intention for constitutional amendment. A presidential office official said, "Since President Yoon mentioned that he would not be bound by the term upon returning to office, discussions on constitutional amendment could intensify." There are also forecasts that the cabinet will be completely reshuffled and key aides in the presidential office replaced to bring about change.
President Yoon Suk-yeol has reportedly refused to accept the second summons from the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO). Meanwhile, the Constitutional Court announced that it will proceed with the preparatory hearing for President Yoon's impeachment trial as scheduled on the 27th. Photo of the Presidential Office in Yongsan-gu, Seoul. Photo by Kang Jin-hyung
On February 25, during his final argument at the Constitutional Court impeachment trial, President Yoon stated that if he returns to office following dismissal or rejection, he would "focus on pushing forward constitutional amendment and political reform without being bound by the remaining term." Therefore, the biggest point of interest is how actively President Yoon will pursue the constitutional amendment and political reform he promised in his final statement after resuming his duties.
Yoon, Unconcerned with Term Length, Focuses on Constitutional Amendment
Although he did not specify the exact direction of the constitutional amendment, his statement about not being bound by the remaining term suggests a focus on shortening the presidential term. If President Yoon announces plans for a term-shortening constitutional amendment and both ruling and opposition parties agree, a national referendum could be held by early next year to amend the constitution to a "four-year presidential term with one re-election." In this case, the presidential and local elections could be held simultaneously in June next year. If simultaneous elections occur, the public would alternate evaluations of the executive branch (presidential election) and legislative branch (general election) every two years. President Yoon's term would be shortened by about 11 months.
If a constitutional amendment by early next year proves difficult, another option is to hold the local elections and constitutional referendum together in June next year. Assuming the presidential election is held within two months after the amendment, President Yoon's term would be shortened by about nine months.
On the morning of the 4th, the day of the impeachment trial verdict for President Yoon Seok-yeol, police forces are controlling access at the main gate of the Constitutional Court in Jongno-gu, Seoul.
The realization of a 'responsible prime minister system' is also drawing attention. In his final statement, President Yoon said, "The president will focus on foreign relations and plans to delegate significant authority over domestic affairs to the prime minister." The responsible prime minister system has been considered several times in previous administrations but often ended as mere talk without concrete results. For the system to be effective, the prime minister must be granted substantial powers such as the right to recommend Cabinet members and propose dismissal of ministers, which requires legal grounds through constitutional or legislative amendments.
The problem is that it is difficult to predict whether President Yoon, who has regained power, will pursue constitutional amendment or the introduction of the responsible prime minister system. The Democratic Party is strongly opposing the Constitutional Court's decision and intensifying its attacks on the ruling party, making it hard for constitutional amendment discussions to gain momentum. Professor Lee Jun-han of Incheon National University's Department of Political Science and Diplomacy said, "Given that President Yoon has lost political momentum and legitimacy due to the emergency martial law situation, it is doubtful whether the opposition party will cooperate." However, there is also analysis that President Yoon will reveal specific directions soon, as breaking his promise to pursue constitutional amendment and political reform could lead to public criticism.
Measures to revitalize the stagnant domestic economy are also expected to be actively pursued. Additional budget measures to respond to the economic crisis are anticipated. It is expected that budgets for audits of corruption at the Board of Audit and Inspection, which were unilaterally cut by the Democratic Party, as well as budgets for public safety investigations by the prosecution and police, will be restored through supplementary budgets.
Another challenge is to unify the divided public opinion. Meeting with Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party, to seek cooperation in governance and demonstrating improved relations through cooperation and communication is seen as a shortcut to unifying a divided society. How the administration will resolve the risks posed by First Lady Kim Geon-hee, which have continuously hampered the Yoon Suk-yeol government, is also a matter of interest.
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