The Constitutional Court will deliver its ruling on the impeachment trial of President Yoon Suk-yeol at 11 a.m. tomorrow (the 4th) in the Grand Chamber. As the verdict will determine whether he is removed from office, President Yoon's fate hangs in the balance. The future of South Korea is also at stake. If the court rules for removal, 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 return to his duties.

President Yoon's Fate-Deciding Verdict
The Future of the Republic of Korea Is Also at Stake

Reading of the Decision by Acting Chief Moon Hyungbae

"Any Decision Must Be Accepted"
Urged by the Constitutional Association and Various Sectors of Society

On the 3rd, tension inside and outside the Constitutional Court was at its peak. Police have heightened security, and the court has implemented its own safety and security measures. Access to the main building, where the justices' offices and deliberation rooms are located, has been restricted, and curtains have been drawn over the office windows all day to prevent any information from leaking out. To prevent leaks before the verdict, justices and staff have been advised to use lunch boxes and a dedicated cafeteria within the court. Police have also assigned two to three additional security personnel to each justice for protection.

Even on the day before the ruling, the justices held a deliberation session. The impeachment decision document will be finalized as soon as the details are coordinated, with each justice signing it. The reading of the decision will be conducted by Moon Hyungbae, the acting president of the Constitutional Court. If there is a dissenting opinion, the justice who holds it will express their view. The reading will likely proceed by explaining the impeachment trial process so far and adding the court’s remarks. In the main judgment, the court will review whether there were any procedural flaws in the passage of the impeachment bill and examine the unconstitutionality, illegality, and seriousness of President Yoon’s actions as outlined by the National Assembly.

On the 3rd, one day before the impeachment trial verdict of President Yoon Sukyeol, the road near the Constitutional Court in Jongno-gu, Seoul is being restricted. Photo by Yoon Dongju

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Across society, voices continue to call for acceptance of the Constitutional Court's decision and efforts toward social unity after the verdict. The Korea Constitutional Association, a group of former lawmakers, issued a statement on the 2nd urging, "Regardless of the Constitutional Court's decision on President Yoon's impeachment, both the ruling and opposition parties must unconditionally accept the outcome." On the same day, Han Ducksoo, acting president and prime minister, also stated, "Whatever the decision, it should be calmly accepted in accordance with the principles of the rule of law."

However, political circles remain divided. Lee Jaemyung, leader of the Democratic Party, responded to the People Power Party's demand to accept the verdict by saying, "It is President Yoon Suk-yeol who must accept the decision." Some within the party even made remarks suggesting non-acceptance. The People Power Party countered by labeling the Democratic Party’s actions as "acts of rebellion" and launched a counteroffensive. So-called pro-Yoon lawmakers are leading a 24-hour relay protest against impeachment up until the ruling. President Yoon's official "acceptance message" has also not been issued.

President Yoon Seokyeol, released from Seoul Detention Center, arrived in front of his residence in Hannam-dong, Seoul on March 8, and greeted supporters waiting as he got out of the vehicle. Photo by Yonhap News

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Meanwhile, President Yoon has decided not to attend the impeachment ruling at the Constitutional Court’s Grand Chamber. On the 3rd, President Yoon's legal team announced, "The president has decided not to attend the scheduled impeachment ruling tomorrow," adding, "Considering the potential for disorder, we have comprehensively taken into account the need to maintain order and ensure the president's security."