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South Korea’s opposition criticizes delay in Yoon impeachment ruling as irresponsible
SEOUL, March 17 – South Korea's opposition Democratic Party has called on the Constitutional Court to promptly rule on President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment, arguing that the prolonged deliberation is exacerbating national division and is an act of irresponsibility.
As the eight-member court enters its third week of deliberation, tensions have escalated between those demanding Yoon’s removal for his controversial martial law declaration in December and his supporters who seek his reinstatement. The court concluded hearings on February 25, during which Yoon defended his actions, stating that his martial law proclamation was intended to counter “anti-state” threats and was never meant to fully enforce emergency military rule.
"The nation and its people have reached a breaking point," Democratic Party leader Kim Min-seok stated, urging the court to act responsibly. "Further delays are abnormal and unacceptable," he added during a party meeting.
South Korea has a precedent for swift impeachment rulings; in 2017, former President Park Geun-hye was officially removed from office just 11 days after the final hearing in her impeachment trial. Many citizens have taken to the streets in Seoul, expressing frustration over the delay and calling for Yoon’s ouster, saying the uncertainty is deepening national confusion.
Yoon was impeached by the Democratic Party-dominated parliament in December for allegedly violating his constitutional obligations. The impeachment motion accused him of endangering the rule of law and argued that his actions disqualified him from office.
In addition to impeachment, Yoon faces separate criminal proceedings for allegedly leading an insurrection, a charge that carries a potential sentence of life imprisonment or even the death penalty.
The martial law controversy has intensified the divide between South Korea’s conservative and liberal factions, creating uncertainty in governance and stalling key policy decisions. Several high-ranking military officials have been removed from duty and are facing criminal trials for their roles in the decree, including former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, whose insurrection trial begins on Monday.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who briefly served as acting president following Yoon’s impeachment and suspension on December 14, has also been impeached. As a result, Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok currently leads the nation.
