On the 4th, the Constitutional Court unanimously removed President Yoon Seok-yeol from office with all eight justices concurring.

On this day, Acting Chief Justice Moon Hyun-bae stated, "At the time of President Yoon's declaration of the '12.3 emergency martial law,' it cannot be seen that there was an objectively justifiable crisis situation that warranted such an emergency declaration."

Furthermore, he mentioned, "It cannot be realistically seen that the exercise of authority, such as the National Assembly's impeachment motion legislation, caused a serious crisis situation."

Regarding the court's ruling, Democratic Party lawmaker Jeong Cheong-rae, who is the chair of the impeachment committee, said, "We have removed the defendant, President Yoon Seok-yeol, with perfect logic."

He expressed gratitude, saying, "This is a victory for the Constitution and democracy, a victory for the people, and I sincerely thank the citizens who have defeated the enemies of democracy with democracy. I also thank the wise historical judgment of the Constitutional Court that has defeated the enemies of the Constitution with the Constitution."

He continued, "I hope this serves as comfort and healing for the citizens who stood in front of armored vehicles during the night of the 12.3 insurrection, the citizens who ran to the National Assembly to stop the martial law troops, and the citizens who shouted for Yoon Seok-yeol's removal in Gwanghwamun Square, as well as for the people who spent sleepless nights due to insurrection stress."

Lawmaker Jeong emphasized, "Historically, it has been ordinary citizens who have overcome national crises. The national crisis of the 12.3 insurrection was overcome thanks to the people. On the night of December 3rd, the citizens fully prevented the emergency martial law, and today, it is the citizens who have brought about the removal of the insurrection leader, Yoon Seok-yeol."

He also stated, "This is a victory of the people by the people. I sincerely thank the citizens who, regardless of the changing seasons, spent sleepless nights hoping for Yoon Seok-yeol's removal."

He added, "Even if the neck of a chicken is twisted, dawn will come. We have driven away the forces of darkness and overcome the winter of insurrection. The Republic of Korea has shown remarkable resilience in democracy, and democracy has welcomed a new spring day. We have won over the false propaganda of the instigators of insurrection and their supporters."

Concerning the removal decision, he remarked, "This is a great victory for the citizens of the Republic of Korea. The removal of the insurrection leader, Yoon Seok-yeol, was only natural. It is the return to rightful justice."

Lawmaker Jeong stated, "There was an overwhelming amount of evidence for the necessary and sufficient conditions for Yoon Seok-yeol's removal, and the unconstitutionality was also clear. Yoon violated not only the constitutional conditions and procedures for the emergency martial law but also breached the martial law proclamation itself, and attempted to invade the National Assembly, attempting to detain lawmakers and judges, all of which are violations of the Constitution. The Constitutional Court has made this clear in its judgment."

He added, "It is appropriate to remove Yoon Seok-yeol. If today's crimes are not punished, it emboldens tomorrow's crimes. By penalizing today's unconstitutional actions of Yoon Seok-yeol's insurrection, we hope to prevent and block tomorrow's dictator, a second Yoon Seok-yeol."

Lawmaker Jeong said, "Today's removal of Yoon Seok-yeol will serve as a historical lesson. History does not move straight but never retreats. It does not stop. History passes high points while listening to the sounds of the river and birds. The current of history does not flow backward."

He also mentioned, "The regime is short-lived, but the people are eternal. When the regime and the people fight, ultimately, the people will win," emphasizing that this ruling is a victory for the citizens.

Image sources: Jeong Cheong-rae, Chair of the Judiciary Committee / News1, Constitutional Court's greeting after impeachment ruling on the 4th / News1, leaving after a public address and press conference in the briefing room of the Presidential Office in Yongsan, Seoul on November 7, 2024 / News1