Seoul [South Korea], April 1: South Korea's Constitutional Court will rule on the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol this week.
On April 1, the Constitutional Court of South Korea announced that it will issue a verdict on the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol at 11 a.m. on April 4. The trial is expected to be broadcast live, Yonhap reported, citing the announcement.
Mr. Yoon was suspended from office from December 14, 2024 after the declaration of martial law on December 3. The South Korean National Assembly quickly voted to nullify Mr. Yoon's order and then passed a resolution to impeach the leader.
The Constitutional Court will decide whether to uphold the decision or overturn it. If the case is overturned, Mr. Yoon will be reinstated. Otherwise, he will be removed from office and an election will be held within 60 days.
The Constitutional Court of South Korea has nine judges but one seat is currently vacant. Mr Yoon will be impeached if at least six judges support the National Assembly's decision.
The opposition-controlled National Assembly accused Mr. Yoon of declaring martial law, banning all political activity, despite the absence of war or other relevant emergency. It also said the declaration violated due process and accused Mr. Yoon of ordering the arrest of political opponents to paralyze the legislature.
The opposition Democratic Party of Korea has issued an ultimatum to Acting President Han Duck-soo to appoint the remaining judge to the Constitutional Court by April 1 or face a second impeachment. Han, whose official title is prime minister, was impeached on charges related to the imposition of martial law but was recently reinstated.
The Democratic Party said the delay in appointing a judge it supported was part of a calculated plot to restore Yoon Suk Yeol to office , according to the South China Morning Post . In response, the ruling People Power Party accused the opposition of trying to overthrow the government through force in parliament.
Three of South Korea's eight presidents have been impeached by parliament in the past four decades. The court overturned the conviction of former President Roh Moo-hyun in 2004, 63 days after he was impeached. Former President Park Geun-hye was removed from office in 2017.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper
