One Day Before Yoon's Impeachment Verdict, Tomorrow is the Day of Destiny... Yoon Will Not Attend the Constitutional Court (Comprehensive)

Verdict to Decide President Yoon's Fate
The Future of Korea Also at Stake
Decision to Be Announced by Acting Chief Justice Moon Hyungbae
Calls from All Sectors, Including the National Assembly Alumni Association, to Accept the Outcome

The Constitutional Court will deliver its ruling on President Yoon Seok-yeol's impeachment trial at 11 a.m. on the 4th in the Grand Bench courtroom. Since this trial determines whether he will be removed from office, President Yoon's fate is at stake. Furthermore, the future of the Republic of Korea is also on the line. If the Constitutional Court issues a removal order, President Yoon will immediately become a former president, and a presidential election will be held within 60 days. Conversely, if the impeachment is dismissed, President Yoon will immediately resume his duties.

On the 3rd, one day before the impeachment trial verdict of President Yoon Seok-yeol, roads near the Constitutional Court in Jongno-gu, Seoul, are being controlled. Photo taken using the panorama function on a mobile phone. 2025. 04. 03 Photo by Yoon Dong-ju

The tension inside and outside the Constitutional Court on the 3rd was extremely high. The police increased security levels, and the Court also implemented its own safety and security enhancement measures. The Court restricted access to the main building where the justices' offices and deliberation rooms are located, and covered the windows of the justices' offices with curtains all day to prevent any visibility of the interior. To prevent any leakage of the verdict before the announcement, justices and staff were advised to use boxed meals and the exclusive cafeteria within the Court. The police deployed an additional security team of 2 to 3 personnel per justice to protect the justices' safety.

The Constitutional Court justices held a deliberation on the 3rd, one day before the ruling. The impeachment trial decision document will be finalized after coordinating detailed opinions and obtaining signatures from each justice. The reading of the impeachment trial decision for President Yoon Seok-yeol will be conducted by Acting Chief Justice Moon Hyung-bae. If there are dissenting opinions, the justices who hold them will express their views. The reading of the decision is expected to proceed by explaining the impeachment trial procedures conducted so far and adding the court's remarks. In the substantive judgment, the Court will examine whether there were any procedural flaws in the approval process of the impeachment motion and assess the unconstitutionality, illegality, and gravity of President Yoon’s actions as stated by the National Assembly in the grounds for impeachment.

Voices from various sectors of society continue to call for acceptance of the Constitutional Court’s decision and efforts toward social integration after the ruling. The 'Korea National Assembly Alumni Association,' a group of former lawmakers, urged on the 2nd in a statement that "regardless of the decision made by the Constitutional Court in President Yoon's impeachment trial, both ruling and opposition parties must unconditionally accept it." On the same day, Han Duck-soo, Acting President and Prime Minister, also said, "Whatever decision is made, it must be calmly accepted in accordance with the principles of the rule of law."

However, political voices remain divided. On the 2nd, Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, responded to the People Power Party’s demand to accept the impeachment ruling by saying, "Acceptance is something Yoon Seok-yeol (the President) must do." Some within the party even voiced 'non-acceptance.' The People Power Party counterattacked by labeling the Democratic Party’s offensive as 'acts of rebellion.' So-called pro-Yoon (pro-Yoon Seok-yeol) lawmakers have been leading a 24-hour relay protest against impeachment until the day of the ruling. An official 'acceptance message' from President Yoon has yet to be issued.

Meanwhile, President Yoon has decided not to attend the impeachment ruling held in the Constitutional Court’s Grand Bench courtroom. On the 3rd, President Yoon’s legal team stated, "The President has decided not to attend the impeachment ruling scheduled for tomorrow," adding, "This decision was made after comprehensively considering concerns about congestion, maintaining order, and presidential security issues."

President Yoon Seok-yeol, released from Seoul Detention Center, arrived in front of his residence in Hannam-dong, Seoul on the 8th, getting out of the vehicle and greeting supporters who were waiting. Photo by Yonhap News

President Yoon is expected to watch the impeachment trial live broadcast on TV from his residence in Hannam-dong. His legal team will attend the Court in person.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.