The Korea Times

Constitutional Court delays presidential impeachment ruling as DPK chief awaits verdict Wednesday

It has now been exactly a month since the Constitutional Court concluded the final hearing in the impeachment trial of President Yoon Suk Yeol. The court has still not officially set a date for its ruling. The delay has sparked speculation and media scrutiny, especially given the court's initial promise of a speedy decision in the case. If the court does not deliver a ruling by Friday, there is a possibility that the decision could be delayed until the last day of this month or possibly even April. The timeline of Yoon's impeachment trial differs significantly from former President Roh Moo-hyun’s case in 2004, which reached a verdict just 14 days after the hearings concluded, and former President Park Geun-hye’s case in 2017, which took 11 days. In contrast, the deliberation in Yoon's case has already taken more than twice as long. Observers initially predicted that the ruling would come in mid-March, based on the typical two-week timeline for past presidential impeachment cases following the conclusion of hearings. But the initial prediction and subsequent expectations for the ruling

Mar 25, 2025By Anna J. Park

Constitutional Court delays presidential impeachment ruling as DPK chief awaits verdict Wednesday

Law & Crime

Constitutional Court reinstates PM in impeachment trial

The Constitutional Court rejected the National Assembly's impeachment motion against Prime Minister Han Duck-soo on Monday. The verdict came 87 days after the Assembly voted to impeach Han, who had been taking the role of acting president after President Yoon Suk Yeol was suspended over his Dec. 3 martial law declaration. With the verdict, he immediately returned to work as prime minister and acting president, taking over from Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok, who had led the government since Han's suspension on Dec. 27. Five of the eight justices voted against the motion, while one voted to uphold it and two dismissed the case for failing to meet the requirements for impeachment. The Assembly impeached Han citing several grounds, with one of the key reasons being that Han colluded or at least abetted the martial law imposition by suggesting Yoon hold a Cabinet meeting to discuss the issue just before the president's declaration, because approval at a Cabinet meeting is a requirement for martial law. But the court ruled that there was no evidence or objective material to confirm that Han wa

Mar 23, 2025By Anna J. Park

Constitutional Court reinstates PM in impeachment trial

Politics

Opposition leader meets Samsung chairman in business-friendly move

Rep. Lee Jae-myung, leader of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), held a discussion with Samsung Electronics Executive Chairman Lee Jae-yong on the employment of young people, Thursday, in his latest business-friendly gesture. It was the first officially known meeting between the liberal political heavyweight and the chief of the nation’s top conglomerate. Rep. Lee, the most powerful presidential contender from the liberal bloc that usually advocates for labor rights and regulations on businesses, has recently attempted to build a pro-business image ahead of a potential snap election in case the Constitutional Court decides to remove President Yoon Suk Yeol over his Dec. 3 martial law declaration. In the meeting, the DPK head stressed the importance of corporate prosperity for the country’s overall well-being. "Only when Samsung thrives can those who have invested in it also prosper," he said during the meeting at Samsung Software Academy for Youth in Seoul, run by the company and the labor ministry to train young jobseekers. The DPK head encouraged the achievements a

Mar 20, 2025By Anna J. Park

Opposition leader meets Samsung chairman in business-friendly move

Law & Crime

Concerns rise over acts of violence outside court

As the ruling in President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment trial approaches, safety concerns are growing, with increasing doubts about whether the heightened security measures around the Constitutional Court are sufficient to prevent disturbances and violence. Concerns grew after DPK lawmaker Rep. Back Hye-ryun was struck in the face by an egg during the party's press conference outside the Constitutional Court on Thursday, as party members demanded the president’s removal. Back expressed pain after being hit, while another egg splattered onto the clothes of DPK Rep. Lee Geon-tae, who was standing beside her. She condemned the incident, adding that such an act is "something that should never happen in a democratic society," as she urged the police to identify the perpetrator. She later visited a nearby police station to file a complaint. DPK Rep. Kim Nam-hee, who was also present at the scene, said that the individual who threw the egg was part of a far-right protest group. "This is an act of blatant violence and a terrorist attack against a politician," Kim said. "The illegal protests by

Mar 20, 2025By Anna J. Park

Concerns rise over acts of violence outside court

Law & Crime

Constitutional Court verdict on Yoon’s impeachment unlikely this week

The Constitutional Court has yet to announce a date for its final ruling on President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment trial, marking the longest deliberation on a presidential impeachment case in Korean history.

Mar 19, 2025By Anna J. Park

Constitutional Court verdict
on Yoon’s impeachment
unlikely this week

Law & Crime

Constitutional Court wraps hearing on justice minister's impeachment case

The Constitutional Court concluded the highly anticipated impeachment hearing of Minister of Justice Park Sung-jae on Tuesday afternoon after holding only one official hearing session.

Mar 18, 2025By Anna J. Park

Constitutional Court wraps hearing on justice minister's impeachment case

Law & Crime

Constitutional Court to announce ruling on Yoon's impeachment on Friday

The Constitutional Court will deliver a ruling on President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment at 11 a.m. on Friday, it said, Tuesday. The court decision comes 111 days after the National Assembly passed a motion to impeach the president on Dec. 14, 2024, following Yoon's declaration of martial law on Dec. 3 which the Assembly viewed was against the Constitution. Immediately after the Assembly's passage of the motion, the case was referred to the court, which then held 11 hearings through Feb. 25 by calling 16 witnesses. Eight justices have since gone through deliberations. If the court upholds the impeachment motion by concluding Yoon violated the Constitution and laws on martial law, Yoon will be removed from office immediately and a snap presidential election must be held within 60 days from the ruling. Given that the 60th day from April 4 will be June 3, the election, if held, is likely to take place either on the last week of May or the first week of June. On the other hand, the president will immediately resume his duties without delay if the court dismisses the case by concluding that

Mar 18, 2025By Anna J. Park

Constitutional Court to announce ruling on Yoon's impeachment on Friday

Law & Crime

Is Presidential Security Service split between loyalists and critics?

The dismissal of a senior official from the Presidential Security Service (PSS), who opposed orders to use force to block the execution of a detention warrant for President Yoon Suk Yeol, has sparked a controversy over whether the decision was justified or an act of retaliation by security officials seeking to protect the president.

Mar 17, 2025By Anna J. Park

Is Presidential Security Service split between loyalists and critics?

North Korea

Trump attempts to cajole NK into dialogue by calling it 'nuclear power': expert

U.S. President Donald Trump once again referred to North Korea as a nuclear power on Thursday, a move experts say is aimed at bringing Pyongyang to the negotiation table with the U.S.

Mar 14, 2025By Anna J. Park