Praise and Criticism, Silence on the Ruling in Public Statements and Social Media
Statements on the Constitutional Court's Decision Expected After the Verdict
The potential presidential candidates of the People Power Party are holding their breath on the 4th, closely watching the Constitutional Court's decision. With the inevitable political upheaval depending on whether President Yoon Seok-yeol's impeachment is accepted, dismissed, or rejected, it appears they intend to avoid provoking the public preemptively.
On the 4th, the day of the impeachment trial verdict for President Yoon Suk-yeol, Kwon Young-se, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, is arriving at the National Assembly. 2025.4.4 Photo by Kim Hyun-min
The potential candidates classified as the next presidential contenders of the People Power Party are refraining from making statements or posting on social media regarding President Yoon Seok-yeol's impeachment trial, showing a cautious and quiet approach.
Minister of Employment and Labor Kim Moon-soo and Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo, who had posted related messages advocating for the dismissal of the impeachment around the announcement of the Constitutional Court's ruling date, have been refraining from related remarks since the day before.
In Mayor Hong's case, he only posted on Facebook a memorial message for the late former People Power Party lawmaker Jang Je-won, criticism of Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, regarding his statement about 'President Yoon's plan for a massacre of 10,000 people during martial law,' and news about completing his book manuscript.
Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon and former lawmaker Yoo Seung-min, who had sent messages on the 1st and 2nd stating 'we must accept whatever ruling the Constitutional Court makes,' are similarly refraining from public statements related to President Yoon's impeachment trial, instead issuing messages urging restraint in political disputes related to U.S. reciprocal tariffs and advocating strategic responses.
Former People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon, who actively promoted his book published last month, has also recently been holding back from public appearances. He refrained from public remarks immediately after the announcement of the ruling date and posted on Facebook the day before urging strategic responses concerning U.S. reciprocal tariffs.
As the ruling on President Yoon's impeachment approaches, it is interpreted as a strategy to avoid making statements that might provoke party members or general voters prematurely. Emphasizing pro- or anti-impeachment positions until the last moment risks continuous attacks regardless of the ruling outcome.
An official from the ruling party said, "It is the day of the ruling, and it is imminent. Whether an early presidential election is held or not, the public and party members are watching," adding, "Can those classified as presidential candidates make statements about the impeachment ruling of the president our party produced?" He continued, "Everyone is naturally keeping a low profile." He added, "After the impeachment ruling, (the next presidential candidates) will likely make statements regarding the Constitutional Court's decision."
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