By The South Asia Times

SEOUL  – The ruling People Power Party (PPP) has declared its commitment to accepting whatever ruling the Constitutional Court delivers in the impeachment trial of President Yoon Suk Yeol, the party’s floor leader, Rep. Kweon Seong-dong, confirmed on Sunday.

As the court deliberates whether to reinstate or permanently remove Yoon from office, Kweon emphasized that the party respects the judicial process and will abide by the final decision, according to Yonhap News Agency.

“Our party's official stance is that we will accept the court’s decision,” Kweon told reporters. “As you all know, constitutional trials are single-trial cases. Once a ruling is made, the outcome is binding for everyone.”

Though the court has not yet announced a date for its verdict, many political analysts expect the ruling to be issued this week. If Yoon is removed from office, South Korea will be required to hold a snap presidential election within 60 days. If reinstated, he will serve out his term until May 2027.

Background: Yoon’s Impeachment and Martial Law Controversy

President Yoon Suk Yeol was impeached in December 2024, following a dramatic political crisis triggered by his declaration of martial law, which lasted only a few hours before being revoked amid intense public and political backlash.

Yoon had cited concerns over national security and widespread protests against his administration’s judicial reforms when he briefly imposed martial law, ordering the military to stand by for potential deployment. The move was widely condemned by opposition parties and civil rights groups as unconstitutional and an overreach of presidential authority.

In response, the opposition-controlled National Assembly swiftly passed an impeachment motion, arguing that Yoon had violated democratic principles and the separation of powers. The vote led to his immediate suspension from office, pending the Constitutional Court’s review. Prime Minister Han Duck-soo was designated as acting president.

This marks the second time in South Korea’s history that a sitting president has faced impeachment, following the ousting of Park Geun-hye in 2017 over a corruption scandal.

Calls for a Quick Ruling on Prime Minister’s Impeachment

In addition to President Yoon’s trial, PPP floor leader Kweon urged the Constitutional Court to expedite its decision on Prime Minister Han Duck-soo’s impeachment case, arguing that his prolonged suspension has weakened South Korea’s leadership at a critical time.

“It has been 80 days since Prime Minister Han was suspended from his duties,” Kweon said. “We have already wasted a significant amount of golden time at a national level.”

His remarks come amid growing concerns over South Korea’s international standing. In January, before leaving office, former U.S. President Joe Biden’s administration designated Seoul as a ‘sensitive’ country, placing it in the lowest category of the U.S. Department of Energy’s “sensitive and other designated countries list.” The classification has raised fears of potential disruptions in U.S.-South Korea cooperation on advanced technology sectors.

Political Uncertainty Looms

With the Constitutional Court’s ruling expected soon, South Korea remains on edge, bracing for potential political upheaval. If Yoon is removed, the upcoming snap election could reshape the country’s leadership and policies. If reinstated, his administration will need to regain public trust after months of political turmoil.

Regardless of the outcome, the verdict is set to have lasting implications for South Korea’s political landscape and its global partnerships.