Photo credit: www.cbc.ca
South Korea’s Constitutional Court to Decide President Yoon’s Fate
On Friday, South Korea’s Constitutional Court is poised to make a pivotal decision regarding President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment, a ruling that could either lead to his removal from office or restore his powers four months after he caused significant upheaval with an imprudent declaration of martial law.
The court plans to deliver its verdict during a nationally broadcast session commencing at 11 a.m. local time. For Yoon to be ousted, at least six of the court’s eight justices will need to concur with the impeachment.
Should the court decide to remove him, South Korea will be required to hold a national election within two months to appoint a successor. Conversely, if the ruling favors Yoon, he will be instantly reinstated in his role as president.
Yoon’s martial law declaration on December 3 lasted just six hours after the legislature, led by the opposition, swiftly voted to counter it. Following this, the assembly moved to impeach him, halting his official functions and referring the case to the Constitutional Court. Yoon is concurrently facing a separate criminal trial on charges of rebellion.
Regardless of the impending verdict, analysts predict a further entrenchment of the nation’s political divides. Over the last four months, mass demonstrations have erupted across South Korea, with citizens passionately taking sides in the contentious political landscape.
WATCH | Is South Korea’s democracy at risk?:
Is South Korea’s democracy at risk? | Canada Tonight
In the lead-up to the ruling, tensions were palpable. Investigators left Yoon’s official residence after a lengthy standoff, during which he resisted attempts at detainment. Jeremy Chan, a senior analyst at the Eurasia Group, has expressed significant concern over the implications for democracy in South Korea.
In anticipation of potential unrest following the court’s decision, authorities have deployed thousands of police personnel, erected barricades, and enhanced surveillance efforts. On the streets, rival protests continued, with each faction making fervent appeals to the court regarding Yoon’s impeachment.
“For four months, we have been exhausted and worn down, but our anger towards Yoon Suk Yeol remains strong,” stated anti-Yoon protester Kim Mi-ok during a demonstration.
Nearby, supporters of Yoon gathered, waving South Korean and American flags and displaying signs reading, “Fraudulent impeachment will surely be dismissed.” A protest leader led chants of support, declaring, “Let’s protect him!”
The center of contention within Yoon’s impeachment trial revolves around his decision to deploy numerous troops and police to critical locations, including the National Assembly, after enacting martial law.
Even though order was maintained and martial law was lifted without incident, the impeachment motion accuses Yoon of breaching constitutional and legal frameworks by inhibiting assembly gatherings, attempting to detain political figures, and undermining national peace.
Yoon defended his actions by arguing that the military presence was necessary to ensure order and that his declaration of martial law aimed to highlight the detrimental actions of the Democratic Party, which he claimed undermined his administration and targeted his officials. Nevertheless, testimonies from senior military and police members indicate that Yoon instructed them to detain political adversaries and obstruct legislative processes.
Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, currently acting as the nation’s leader, has called for acceptance of the court’s ruling, regardless of the outcome.
Some citizens, like 63-year-old office worker Shin Yoon-hye, have stated their commitment to rally against Yoon if he retains his position. “If Yoon’s impeachment is overturned, our country will plunge into the abyss,” she remarked, expressing her belief that Yoon’s reliance on forced measures, when faced with political opposition, was misguided. “We are a democratic country, and he should have pursued a political compromise.”
Source
www.cbc.ca