Ruling party backs Yoon's constitutional reform proposal, calling 1987 Constitution 'outdated'

President Yoon Suk Yeol stands before a podium to deliver his final defense at the Constitutional Court hearing on Tuesday. Yonhap
President Yoon Suk Yeol stands before a podium to deliver his final defense at the Constitutional Court hearing on Tuesday. Yonhap

The Democratic Party of Korea on Wednesday urged the Constitutional Court for a swift impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol after he signaled his possible return to office in his final words of defense given the day prior.

The Democratic Party said Yoon showed "absolutely no remorse" for his shock imposition of martial law on Dec. 3, 2024, throughout his 68-minute defense, calling for his removal from office.

"From the beginning to the end, the leader of the insurrection ring was preoccupied with making lame excuses without ever recognizing what he pulled was an insurrection against the country," the party said in a statement. "Yoon has once again proven that the only way to set things straight is his speedy impeachment."

The Democratic Party said Yoon detailing his plans after he is back in office in his defense was "terrifying for the future of this country." "Imagine if the man who committed insurrection is back in power, and tries to change the Constitution," it said.

At his impeachment hearing Tuesday, Yoon reiterated that his imposition of martial law was a way of raising public awareness about the opposition abusing its control of the Assembly before the Constitutional Court. Yoon said the Democratic Party has "paralyzed the government from functioning" through the frequent impeachment of his officials and blockage of bills and policies.

"The declaration of martial law was intended to inform the people of the viciousness of the giant opposition majority, to try to put a stop to it by soliciting attention from the people," Yoon said.

Yoon also laid out his ideas for reforms of the Constitution and limiting presidential authorities by delegating some of them to the prime minister and cutting the current term of five years to four. He also hinted at his possible return to office while the dominant view in political circles supported his eventual impeachment and an early presidential election.

"If I return to office, I would consider constitutional and political reform as my final mission as president for the remainder of my term," the president said.

Yoon also noticeably did not mention whether he would respect the verdict of the Constitutional Court on his impeachment, speculated to be announced March 11 or 14.

The People Power Party backed Yoon's proposal for a reform of the Constitution, which the party said was outdated, arguing for a stricter system of checks and balances against the president. The party also said Yoon showed he had no desire to sit out his term by calling for the Constitution's revision in a way that cuts the president's powers.

"We cannot continue to operate under a Constitution that was last revised in 1987. We take the president's words as a meaningful proposal and an indication that he does not intend to finish his term early," the party said in a statement.

The People Power Party added that if Yoon does return, for the remainder of his term, he would entrust the prime minister with much of the running of the country.

The People Power Party said Yoon also appeared to regret why he "had to go down a difficult road," seemingly referring to his martial law declaration.

Speaking ahead of a meeting with floor leaders of the two parties, Speaker Woo Won-shik said he believes in South Korea's "resilience against crises." He called on the two parties for a bipartisan path forward, without mentioning the president's defense on Tuesday.

"South Korea stands at a critical juncture. But we've been through critical junctures several times in the past and risen above it every time," he said.


arin@heraldcorp.com