On the 31st, the People Power Party said regarding the impeachment trial of President Yoon Suk-yeol that "it is time to make a prompt decision" to the Constitutional Court. This is the first time the ruling party leadership has officially mentioned advancing the timeline for the impeachment trial of President Yoon. Until now, the People Power Party has requested the Constitutional Court to "decide cautiously."
Chairperson Kwon Young-se said during a party emergency meeting held at the National Assembly that morning, "I would like to ask what the reason is for the Constitutional Court to push for a rushed trial while bringing in even the stopwatch, only to delay the actual ruling."
He also stated, "The Acting Prime Minister Moon Hyung-bae should not delay any longer and must make a prompt ruling based on the decisions of each and every Constitutional Court judge," adding, "This is a necessary measure to fulfill the duties of a constitutional institution and to end national confusion."
Floor Leader Kweon Seong-dong noted, "The political and social confusion surrounding the impeachment trial of the president is becoming severe," and he added, "I hope the Constitutional Court will swiftly announce the results of the impeachment trial to resolve the chaos and uncertainty of national affairs."
He said, "As the ruling on the president is delayed, rumors surrounding the Constitutional Court are being amplified. This undermines the authority and credibility of the Constitutional Court," urging Acting Prime Minister Moon to set a ruling date and seek conclusions on the impeachment trial as soon as possible based on each Constitutional Court judge's judgment.
The party leadership condemned the Democratic Party's pressure for the impeachment of cabinet members as "a clear act of insurrection."
Chairperson Kwon criticized that the Democratic Party's suggestion to pursue the re-impeachment of one acting prime minister and the mention of the impeachment of cabinet members by first-term lawmakers of the Democratic Party is "an attempt to change the game by mobilizing the Our Law Research Group cartel by any means necessary."
He particularly criticized the Democratic Party's attempt to promote the "extension of the Constitutional Court judges' term" as "aimed at retaining judges Moon Hyung-bae and Lee Mi-sun, whose terms end on April 18," saying, "The term of Constitutional Court judges is specified in the Constitution, and the idea of amending the Constitutional Court Act to extend their terms itself is clearly unconstitutional."
He continued, "There are even claims from some in the Democratic Party suggesting that the impeachment of cabinet members should prevent the quorum required for government meetings, thereby incapacitating the government's veto power," asserting, "This is a clear act of insurrection that effectively aims to subvert the government, and the very act of making such claims can be considered inciting insurrection."
Chairperson Kwon further stated, "The Democratic Party's attempts to intimidate the government and pressure the Constitutional Court to remove the president are increasing the justification for the president's return to duty."
He warned Representative Lee Jae-myung and the Democratic Party that "leaving the decision to the Constitutional Court and returning to the National Assembly to prioritize the people's livelihood is the only way to escape from the national anger directed at the real insurrection forces."
Spokesperson Shin Dok-wook, after the meeting, spoke to reporters regarding the question of whether the mood has changed to expedite the ruling on President Yoon's impeachment trial, stating, "The impeachment trial is in a state of not being able to reach a conclusion and is crossing into April," adding, "Particularly as we go beyond April 18, two judges will retire, which could lead to a significant confusion."