Chairperson Kwon Young-se of the People Power Party welcomed the Constitutional Court's decision on the 13th to dismiss all impeachment motions against Chief Auditor Choi Jae-hae and three prosecutors including Lee Chang-soo, stating, "This is a historic ruling that struck down the political impeachment abuse of the Democratic Party." He urged the opposition to accept the results of the impeachment trial against President Yoon Suk-yeol.
Immediately after the Constitutional Court announced the results of the four impeachment trials against Chief Auditor Choi and others, Commissioner Kwon held an emergency press conference at the National Assembly, stating, "This is a major decision that shows that the Constitution and laws of the Republic of Korea are alive and a historic ruling that dealt a blow to the Democratic Party's political impeachment abuse," and expressed that the party respects the court's decision.
Earlier, the Constitutional Court unanimously dismissed the impeachment motions against Chief Auditor Choi and three prosecutors in the morning. The opposition pushed forward the impeachment motion against Chief Auditor Choi last December on the grounds that the Board of Audit and Inspection conducted an inadequate audit regarding the decision to transfer the presidential office and residence. Additionally, they pushed for the impeachment motions against prosecutors Lee Chang-soo, Cho Sang-won, and Choi Jae-hoon for allegedly conducting inadequate investigations into the stock price manipulation case involving Kim Keon-hee. The Constitutional Court determined that their actions did not constitute a serious reason for impeachment by violating the Constitution or laws.
Commissioner Kwon added, "This attempt at impeachment was an unreasonable endeavor that was forcibly pushed through based not on the Constitution and laws but on the interests of the majority power in the National Assembly. However, the Constitutional Court firmly dismissed it, preserving the independence of the Board of Audit and Inspection and the prosecution."
He further noted, "If the Chief Auditor and the three prosecutors were impeached simply because they offended the large opposition party, it would have led to a significant chilling effect on the public service and posed a dangerous risk to the stability of the national system." He acknowledged, "However, as the Constitutional Court dismissed the impeachment, it clarified that the powers held by the National Assembly must also be exercised within the bounds of the Constitution and laws."
He then requested that rigorous standards be applied in the impeachment trial against President Yoon. Commissioner Kwon stated, "I expect the rigorous standards of law and principles shown in the dismissals of the impeachment motions against the Chief Auditor and the three prosecutors to be applied equally in the impeachment trial against President Yoon. If there are any legal flaws in the decision, administrative chaos will inevitably increase, adversely affecting national unity," and he urged, "The Constitutional Court must make judgments based solely on the Constitution and laws without being swayed by any external pressures."
In the political realm, there are predictions that the Constitutional Court's dismissal of the impeachment might influence public sentiment and the outcome of President Yoon's trial. In response, Commissioner Kwon stated, "This is an unexpected aspect," and urged, "I hope and demand that an objective and fair decision is made in accordance with the Constitution, laws, principles, and conscience as decided in today’s trial."
He urged the opposition to declare acceptance of the results of President Yoon's impeachment trial.
Commissioner Kwon said, "I have already stated several times that I will accept the results of the Constitutional Court. The president has also clearly indicated through his attorney that he will accept the results. However, the Democratic Party has never made such a promise in front of the people," and he requested, "No matter what results come from the Constitutional Court, please clearly promise to the people that you will accept it to uphold the constitutional order."
He also requested a prompt conclusion to the impeachment trial against Prime Minister Han Duck-soo. Commissioner Kwon stated, "The impeachment trial against the Prime Minister must also be concluded swiftly to minimize administrative chaos," and noted, "As the acting system of the acting president is prolonged, many difficulties arise in normal diplomacy and economic cooperation. In particular, considering the numerous foreign affairs issues South Korea faces, any instability in normal-level diplomatic channels would be a significant loss for the country."
Additionally, he urged the opposition to stop political strife and focus on economic recovery and livelihood stability. Commissioner Kwon stated, "It is time for politics for the people rather than continued political conflict. We need to stop the futile debate caused by political impeachment and concentrate on policies and reforms for the people."