The Constitutional Court of Korea, which has been deliberating the impeachment case against President Yoon Suk Yeol for more than 15 days, is likely to set a record as Korea's lengthiest presidential impeachment case.
The court has yet to announce a date for its ruling, despite speculation that the date would be announced on a Friday. Such expectations were based on the two previous presidential impeachment rulings ― those of former President Roh Moo-hyun in 2004 and former President Park Geun-hye in 2017 ― which were both announced on Fridays. If that precedent were to hold, the verdict would likely be announced on March 21.
Typically, the court notifies the media of the ruling date two to three days in advance. As no announcement was made as of Friday afternoon, anticipation is building that notice of a ruling will be given next week, with the verdict likely to be delivered between March 19 and 21.
Even if the ruling is delivered on March 19, President Yoon’s case will have lasted 95 days since the National Assembly passed the impeachment motion on Dec. 14, 2024.
Former President Roh Moo-hyun’s impeachment ruling took 63 days, while former President Park Geun-hye’s took 91 days. This would make Yoon’s case the longest in South Korea’s history.
Although the court concluded hearings for Yoon’s impeachment trial on Feb. 25 after 11 rounds of hearings, justices are reportedly taking longer in the final stages of review and have yet to reach a consensus.
If significant disagreements persist among the justices over key issues, the ruling could be delayed even further.
Currently, the court is also reviewing the impeachment of Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, whose hearings concluded on Feb. 19.
The court has stressed that the justices will prioritize Yoon’s case over any other. The court has 180 days to either uphold or overturn the suspended president's impeachment.
When the court finally makes its ruling, it will take effect immediately. If the court upholds the impeachments of Yoon or Han, they will be removed from their positions. If the court dismisses the motions, they will return to their respective duties without delay.
ddd@heraldcorp.com
