South Korea's Constitutional Court Dismisses Justice Minister's Impeachment Over Martial Law Allegations

Synopsis

The South Korean Constitutional Court has dismissed the impeachment of Justice Minister Park Sung-jae regarding his alleged involvement in former President Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law declaration. The ruling reinstates Park after four months, citing a lack of evidence to support the impeachment claims.

Key Takeaways

The Constitutional Court ruled in favor of Justice Minister Park.
Allegations of aiding martial law declaration were dismissed.
Park claimed he tried to dissuade Yoon from declaring martial law.
June 3 set for the next presidential election.
Yoon to vacate presidential residence soon.

Seoul, April 10 (NationPress) The Constitutional Court of South Korea ruled on Thursday to dismiss the impeachment of Justice Minister Park Sung-jae concerning his alleged role in former President Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law proposal from December.

This decision reinstated Park after a nearly four-month suspension following the National Assembly's impeachment due to accusations of supporting Yoon's unexpected martial law announcement on December 3.

The court stated, "There is no evidence or objective material to back allegations that he aided the President's declaration of martial law by implied or tacit agreement," as they presented their unanimous conclusion.

Park faced accusations for failing to oppose Yoon during a Cabinet meeting just before the martial law announcement.

Furthermore, he was alleged to have coordinated the government's response at a presidential safe house after Parliament annulled the decree and had prepared a detention facility for lawmakers during the enforcement period, according to Yonhap news agency.

The court added, "Simply because he held a meeting at the presidential safe house after the martial law was lifted, the defendant cannot be said to have been involved in an act of insurrection through discussions on legal follow-up measures for the act of insurrection or a consideration of response measures," emphasizing Park's non-involvement.

Park refuted the accusations, claiming he actively attempted to dissuade Yoon from declaring martial law and did not discuss subsequent measures during the meeting at the presidential safe house.

In related news, the South Korean government has set June 3 as the date for the upcoming presidential election following the removal of former President Yoon Suk Yeol.

Officials reported that Yoon is expected to vacate the presidential residence as early as Friday to return to his private residence in southern Seoul, following his ousting last week.

An official from the presidential office noted, "Yoon's departure from the presidential residence is expected within this week," with the timeframe being between Friday and Sunday.

The Presidential Security Service (PSS) has reportedly completed arrangements for a private security team of approximately 40 individuals to protect Yoon. Under current legislation, Yoon is eligible for PSS protection for up to 10 years.

Yoon's private residence is situated in the Acrovista apartment complex in Seocho-dong, southern Seoul, where he previously resided for six months after his inauguration in May 2022.

Reports indicate that Yoon and his wife, Kim Keon Hee, are contemplating relocating to another residence in the capital area due to owning as many as 11 pet dogs and cats, and the presence of security personnel may pose inconveniences for their neighbors.