[On Site] Silence Falls Over the National Assembly Ahead of Verdict... Opposition on Edge Before Yoon's Impeachment Trial

Lee Jaemyung: "We Expect a Serious and Wise Judgment from the Constitutional Court"
Democratic Party Issues Guidelines for Behavior on Ruling Day, Tightens Discipline
Kim Dongyeon Watches from Provincial Office... Kim Kyungsoo at Anguk Station Site
Innovation Party Gathers at National Assembly: "We Will Watch the Impeachment Ruling"
Lee Junseok Alone in Lawmaker's Office... Cheon Haram Attends Constitutional Court Trial

On the morning of the 4th, ahead of President Yoon Suk-yeol's impeachment ruling, the National Assembly was enveloped in silence. The opposition parties, including the Democratic Party of Korea, were expected to observe the decisions of the eight Constitutional Court justices at the National Assembly that morning. Currently, police personnel were deployed around the main gate of the National Assembly for security and safety reasons.

Democratic Party lawmakers gathered one after another at the party floor leader's secretariat, waiting for the Constitutional Court's ruling on President Yoon. As of 8:30 a.m., lawmakers Kang Yoo-jung, Yoon Jong-gun, Jung Jin-wook, Kim Yong-min, Park Sung-joon, Hwang Yoo-jung, and Jeon Hyun-hee were present. Lawmaker Park entered with a stern expression after briefly greeting the press with a quick pace. Lawmaker Yoon also refrained from speaking to the press as much as possible while entering. Lawmaker Kim said, "We are waiting for the live broadcast of the impeachment ruling." Around 10 a.m., about an hour before the ruling, lawmakers Hwang Myung-sun, Hong Sung-guk, Chun Jun-ho, Lee Hae-sik, Kim Hyun-jung, and Lee Eon-ju also joined.

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, is attending a closed Supreme Council meeting held at the National Assembly on the 4th, the day of the impeachment trial verdict for President Yoon Seok-yeol. 2025.4.4 Photo by Kim Hyun-min

Party leader Lee Jae-myung arrived at the National Assembly around 9:40 a.m. and briefly responded, "This is a grave situation, and we will wait for the Constitutional Court's serious and wise judgment together with the people." He refrained from answering reporters' questions about how he expected the outcome or whether he anticipated a unanimous 8-0 ruling.

The Democratic Party leadership began managing their expressions ahead of President Yoon's impeachment ruling. The party had sent guidelines the previous day to the heads of 17 city and provincial party committees, asking them to "watch the ruling in a calm and restrained atmosphere." This was an effort to maintain discipline considering the serious political situation. They especially urged caution in the words and actions of key party officials and core members. They warned that any violations would result in strict measures such as emergency disciplinary actions.

Within the Democratic Party, there was a clear sentiment of confidence that President Yoon's impeachment would be upheld. Lawmaker Kim Sung-hoe said in a phone interview, "I do not consider dismissal. I predict an 8-0 unanimous approval by the Constitutional Court." Lawmaker Lee Jae-gwan also expressed confidence in the impeachment's approval, asking, "Is there any alternative to an 8-0 or higher ruling?" Senior Democratic Party spokesperson Cho Seung-rae said, "After a closed meeting, we will naturally watch the live broadcast of the impeachment trial," adding, "We will issue a statement after the ruling."

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Next presidential candidates from the anti-Lee Jae-myung faction are also closely monitoring the impeachment ruling results. The office of Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon stated, "Governor Kim plans to watch the impeachment ruling schedule from his office at the provincial government building." Former Gyeongnam Province Governor Kim Kyung-soo was currently waiting for the impeachment ruling with citizens at Songhyeon Square near Anguk Station in Seoul. A representative from Kim's office explained, "Kim has recovered much of his health and plans to watch the impeachment ruling on-site."

The Innovation Party also planned to gather at the National Assembly to watch the impeachment ruling together. Lawmakers were gradually assembling in the party meeting room in the main building of the National Assembly. Lawmaker Cha Gyu-geun cautiously predicted the impeachment would be approved, saying, "It can only be well done." Reform Party lawmaker Lee Jun-seok planned to calmly observe the impeachment ruling at the National Assembly. Cheon Ha-ram, floor leader of the Reform Party and acting party leader, was scheduled to attend the impeachment trial of President Yoon at the Constitutional Court that day.

Participants at the opening ceremony of the Nationwide Citizens' Action for the Immediate Dismissal of Yoon Seok-yeol rally shout slogans on the street near Anguk Station in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on the 4th, the day of the impeachment trial verdict of President Yoon Seok-yeol. Photo by Jo Yong-jun