March 24, 2025
Seoul – South Korea faces a critical week, and a landmark ruling is expected to determine the fate of Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, the fate of principal opposition leader Lee Jae-Myung and possibly President Yoon Suk Yeol, which could mark a major political turning point.
The suspended Prime Minister Han's improvisation sentence was decided at 10 a.m. Monday and Wednesday's appeal against major opposition leader Lee, with a date of verdict likely to be announced early this week.
While the Constitutional Court has not yet announced a date for Yoon's judgment, the court can make Yoon's ruling this Friday given that the ruling recently dismissed major cases and that the precedent for the President's impeachment ruling usually falls on Friday. The court usually announces the judgment date two to three days in advance.
The legal community believes that the court's impeachment judgment on Han may be a “preview” of President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment ruling.
The Han and Yuan Dynasty were unconstitutional about the so-called procedures in the Declaration on Martial Law of December 3.
However, Han's case differs from Yuan's case in the announcement of factors around the emergency cabinet meeting held on the evening of December 3.
Although Han only held the meeting, Yoon was accused of ending the meeting in five minutes despite the cabinet's opposition.
On December 27, the General Assembly adopted an impeachment motion against South Korea for several other reasons, including his suggestion that the president rejected the president's investigation into First Lady Kim Keon Hee and refused to appoint a Constitutional Court judge.
Some experts believe that unless Han is found to actively teach the ring plan, the ruling may not delve into its constitutionality and may limit its relevance to the Yin case.
At Han's hearing on his impeachment on February 19, Han said he “had no prior knowledge of the President's plan” and “better convince him to reconsider.” He also actively denied his participation in “any military mobilization.”
Although both the rule and the opposition party expect the Han nationality to be rejected, the Ruling BJP believes that the dismissal is the path to acquittal of Yoon Eun. By contrast, South Korea's main opposition Democrats believe that the Constitutional Court may achieve a political balance by upholding the Mega Impulse.
While Yoon's final verdict may be held on Friday, this week is expected to be the moment for South Korea's democracy, for another reason.
In addition to the rulings against Han and Yuan, Lee also made an appeal to the election lawyer case on Wednesday.
If the three rulings are published next week, they are expected to reshape the political landscape in the United States. If Yoon is removed, if Lee is convicted, the election may change, then the election may become a reality.
According to law, the president must be held in early elections within 60 days of his removal. Although Lee is currently the Democratic Party’s most likely candidate in the early presidential election, his legal troubles could lead him out of office.
The rulings against Yin and Lee could lead to four different situations.
First, if Yoon is removed and Lee is sentenced to a lighter sentence in Wednesday's appeal sentence, the May presidential election is likely to be an opposition leader becoming a strong contender.
Second, Yoon's removal and Lee's imprisonment after his conviction will put a huge political burden on the opposition. Lee could appeal to the Supreme Court, but running at such legal risk ahead of a potential presidential election puts pressure on him and his party and may prompt them to find other options.
Third, if Yoon is restored and accepted a lighter sentence, allowing him to retain his parliamentary seat, the confrontation between the two may be further exacerbated – but there are no elections.
Fourth, Yoon returns to office, Lee's imprisonment will be the worst case for opposition leaders, and the ruling party is most likely to exploit this situation by labeling him as a criminal.
