Jung Da-hyun is a reporter at The Korea Times, covering social issues in Korea, including foreign residents, education, environment and politics. Driven by a deep interest in people’s stories, she focuses on investigative and feature reporting through direct interviews and field coverage. She received the Amnesty International Korea Media Award for her “Deepfake Crisis at Schools” series. Reach her at dahyun08@koreatimes.co.kr. Always open to hearing your stories.
Korea's judiciary faces pressure from politicians, protesters
Supporters of President Yoon Suk Yeol hold rallies outside the residence of acting Constitutional Court Chief Justice Moon Hyung-bae in Jongno District, Seoul, Monday. Yonhap
By Jung Da-hyun
Protests outside judges’ homes, political interference fuel concerns over public trust in judiciary amid impeachment trial
Korea's judiciary is facing mounting pressure and threats from supporters of President Yoon Suk Yeol and even politicians, due to what they see as "unfairness" in the president’s ongoing impeachment trial.
Concerns are growing that such tensions could erode public trust in the judicial system and deepen societal divisions.
Pressure on the judiciary continues to escalate following last month’s violent protest at the Seoul Western District Court by over 100 people opposing the court's issuance of Yoon's arrest warrant.
On Monday, Yoon's supporters staged rallies outside an apartment complex in Seoul’s Jongno District, where acting Constitutional Court Chief Justice Moon Hyung-bae is said to reside.
The protests began around 7:30 a.m., with approximately 30 demonstrators chanting slogans demanding Moon’s resignation and denouncing Yoon’s impeachment. In the afternoon, an estimated 100 people gathered for another rally, according to police.
The rallies caused noise and disruptions to passersby, prompting complaints from residents.
The rallies were organized by the Election Justice and Anti-Corruption Army, a civic group known for promoting election fraud conspiracy theories. The group continued the rally on Tuesday as well.
Ruling party lawmakers, including Rep. Kim Gi-hyeon, front row center, and Rep. Na Kyung-won, front row second from left, hold a press conference at the Constitutional Court in Jongno District, Seoul, Monday, demanding that President Yoon Suk Yeol’s right to defend himself be ensured and denouncing what they called an unfair impeachment process. Yonhap
Both political parties, along with protesters, are putting pressure on the judiciary.
On Monday, 36 lawmakers of the ruling People Power Party (PPP), including Reps. Kim Gi-hyeon and Na Kyung-won, gathered outside the Constitutional Court, expressing concerns that the impeachment trial is being rushed rather than handled with due process. They had also previously appeared at the presidential residence in an attempt to halt the execution of an arrest warrant for Yoon.
Earlier in the day, eight lawmakers of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) went to Seoul Western District Court to assess the situation following last month’s violent protests by Yoon’s supporters.
Rep. Park Beom-kye called for legal and systematic measures to prevent further attacks on the judiciary, stressing that violence is unacceptable. He also urged a swift investigation into those responsible for organizing and leading the act on the courthouse.
Lawmakers from the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea visit Seoul Western District Court in Mapo District, Seoul, Monday, to inspect the damage and recovery efforts following last month’s violent protests. Yonhap
The legal community raised concerns that these attacks on the judiciary could further erode its credibility, with critics accusing political forces of fueling the tension.
Chung Tae-ho, a law professor at Kyung Hee University, called the situation deeply troubling for the country’s future, warning that politics appeared to be assaulting the judiciary.
"Judicial trials serve as a means to resolve social conflicts and promote unity," he said. "What we are witnessing is a dangerous attempt that could ultimately weaken social cohesion and, in the long run, shake the very foundations of democracy in the country."
Chung also criticized both the protesters and political figures for prioritizing short-term political gains over due process.
"Rather than seeking a fair and careful impeachment trial, their actions seem driven by political calculations — such as securing an advantage in the next presidential election or positioning themselves for a return to power through pardons," he said.
Chung also pointed out Korea’s already low judicial credibility compared to other OECD nations, raising concerns about the broader implications.
"If this continues, will anyone accept the legitimacy of the next president, regardless of who is elected? And will the Constitutional Court’s final ruling even be acknowledged?" he said.