[Yoon Seok-yeol Impeachment] Religious Circles "Respect Constitutional Court Decision... Expect National Unity"

"Toward Integration and Healing Beyond Division and Conflict"

Amid the Constitutional Court's decision to uphold the impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol, religious communities expressed their hope for national unity on the 4th.

On the 4th, the day of the impeachment trial verdict for President Yoon Seok-yeol, constitutional justices entered the Grand Bench of the Constitutional Court in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Photo by Yonhap News

The Korea Christian Federation stated, "We respect the Constitutional Court's decision," adding, "Insults, slander, and violence are not evangelical actions. Let us strive to create a society where we respect and care for each other with deep insight and restrained language and behavior."

Regarding the upcoming presidential election, they conveyed a message to the government and political circles. The Korea Christian Federation urged, "The government should carry out the presidential election smoothly according to the procedures prescribed by law, and both the ruling and opposition parties should refrain from inciting public conflict, return to the National Assembly, recognize and respect each other, and restore representative democracy through dialogue and compromise."

The Catholic Bishops' Conference of Korea said in a statement, "The legal process of President Yoon Suk-yeol's impeachment trial has come to a close," and added, "We ask that the nation's state power make every effort to regain the trust of the people and achieve harmony."

They further stated, "In particular, we hope politicians do not forget that they exist to serve the people and move toward a politics of coexistence by respecting opponents and listening to each other's opinions."

The Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism also said, "Today, the Constitutional Court upheld the impeachment motion against the president. This is the final judgment according to law and system, and clear evidence that our constitution and democracy are functioning," urging, "We earnestly ask all citizens to respect the court's judgment with a mature attitude."

They continued, "If the final legal judgment according to constitutional procedures is not respected, the damage will inevitably return to all our citizens," emphasizing, "Now is the time to move beyond division and conflict toward integration and healing."

The Won Buddhism community stated, "This ruling is a significant event in the constitutional history of the Republic of Korea and a decision that has rightly established democracy and the rule of law," and added, "We must respect the Constitutional Court's decision."