The voting results of the historic impeachment motion against President Yoon Seokyeol are being announced on the 14th at the 4th plenary session of the 419th National Assembly (extraordinary session) held at the National Assembly. The results are being conveyed through the hands of National Assembly staff and announced by Speaker Woo Wonsik. Photo by Kim Hyunmin

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Lee Seokyeon, the first Constitutional Research Officer of Korea and former head of the Ministry of Government Legislation under the Lee Myungbak administration, who is now a distinguished professor at Dongseo University, predicted that President Yoon Sukyeol, who will face an impeachment trial at the Constitutional Court, will be removed from office by a unanimous decision of the justices. Professor Lee emphasized, "The grounds for former President Park Geunhye's impeachment pale in comparison to those for President Yoon," and added, "The grounds for President Yoon's impeachment are even clearer than during former President Park's case."

On the 15th, appearing on MBN's 'Current Affairs Special - Jung Woongab's In-depth Analysis,' former Minister Lee predicted that President Yoon would be impeached unanimously by the Constitutional Court. He explained, "Compared to the grounds for former President Park's impeachment, the seriousness and clarity of the grounds this time are even greater," and "In short, the grounds for former President Park's impeachment pale in comparison to those for President Yoon." He further stated, "This case is much clearer in terms of impeachment grounds than former President Park's case," and predicted, "A decision on impeachment could come within two months at the earliest." This means that since President Yoon's alleged insurrection is more serious than the constitutional and legal violations recognized in former President Park's case, the likelihood of impeachment is high.

On the 16th, as the Constitutional Court prepares for the full impeachment trial of President Yoon Sukyeol and proceeds with related procedures for a swift trial, constitutional justices are entering the Constitutional Court building in Jongno-gu, Seoul. From the left: Acting Chief Justice Moon Hyungbae (18th term, progressive), Justice Lee Miseon (26th term, progressive), Justice Kim Hyungdoo (19th term, moderate), Justice Jung Jungmi (25th term, moderate-progressive), Justice Jung Hyungsik (17th term, conservative), Justice Kim Bokhyung (24th term, moderate-conservative). Photo by Kang Jinhyung

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Former Minister Lee also explained why President Yoon's declaration of martial law constitutes a constitutional violation. He pointed out, "The constitutional procedures were not fully followed," and "To declare martial law, a Cabinet meeting must be held, minutes must be recorded in writing, and the Prime Minister and relevant ministers must sign the document, but these steps were not followed." He also criticized, "There was no urgent situation that warranted deploying the military to maintain public order," and emphasized, "Deploying the military to remove members of the National Assembly constitutes a violent disruption of constitutional order." Lee stressed, "It is completely unconvincing for the President to claim it was a sovereign act. Sovereign acts can only be discussed when they are carried out within the framework of the Constitution," and added, "Because there was an intent to disrupt constitutional order, it clearly constitutes the crime of insurrection."

After the impeachment motion against President Yoon Sukyeol was passed in the second impeachment vote, participants gathered in front of the National Assembly building in Yeouido, Seoul, cheered and danced. Photo by Heo Younghan

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Lee, who once served as acting chair of the nomination committee for the United Future Party, the predecessor of the People Power Party, also criticized the current situation within the party. He said, "Those known as pro-Yoon (pro-Yoon Sukyeol) are responsible for causing today's situation," and suggested, "Those who have acted as President Yoon's bodyguards should not repeat the mistakes of the past." Regarding the role of the Democratic Party as the main opposition, he added, "They now bear responsibility for the current administration of state affairs," and "Especially, they should frequently hold public hearings to listen to more constructive opinions from those who previously supported President Yoon but have turned away due to this impeachment crisis."

Former President Park Geunhye (left) and President Yoon Sukyeol. Photo by Yonhap News

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Meanwhile, on the 14th, the National Assembly held a plenary session to vote on the impeachment motion against President Yoon. The impeachment motion passed with 204 votes in favor, 85 against, 3 abstentions, and 8 invalid votes out of 300 lawmakers. With this impeachment, all of President Yoon's powers have been suspended, and Prime Minister Han Ducksoo is now serving as acting president. Acting President Han will take over all constitutional and legal powers, including command of the armed forces and emergency executive authority, and oversee the overall administration of state affairs.