South Korea’s acting president, Choi Sang-mok, urged the public to remain calm and respect the upcoming Constitutional Court ruling on President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment over his brief martial law order. He also assured that security measures would be reinforced in Seoul and warned that any attempts to challenge public authority would not be tolerated.
Choi urged the National Assembly to review an opposition-led bill advocating for a special counsel investigation into Yoon regarding an alleged influence-peddling case tied to the 2022 parliamentary by-elections.
Passed on February 27 by the Democratic Party-led parliament, the bill seeks to investigate claims that power broker Myung Tae-kyun received 76 million won (US$52,300) from former ruling party lawmaker Kim Young-sun in exchange for assisting with her nomination.
Security has been tightened around the Constitutional Court before the impending ruling, with a ban on drone flights already in effect. Both supporters and opponents of President Yoon Suk Yeol are expected to gather in the streets as the decision approaches. Previous hearings have drawn large crowds of Yoon’s backers, who were closely monitored by police officers and barricaded by security vehicles.
Speaking at a cabinet meeting, Acting President Choi Sang-mok emphasized the importance of maintaining social stability, urging citizens to express their views legally and accept the court’s decision. “The world is watching South Korea. Our democratic resilience is being tested,” he said, stressing that public order must be upheld.
Meanwhile, Choi firmly rejected an opposition-backed bill seeking a special counsel investigation into claims that Yoon and First Lady Kim Keon Hee played a role in the nomination process for the 2022 local elections and last year’s parliamentary elections. He contended that the probe’s scope was too vague and overly expansive, posing potential constitutional issues.
Prosecutors allege that Myung Tae-kyun, a political fixer, helped secure Kim Young-sun’s nomination in return for conducting favorable opinion polls ahead of Yoon’s 2022 presidential campaign. Both Myung and Kim Young-sun have been indicted, and Choi asserted that a special counsel probe would be unnecessary given the ongoing prosecution inquiry.
Choi also urged prosecutors to handle the case with credibility, addressing opposition claims that authorities were minimizing the allegations. “The prosecution must take this investigation seriously and conduct a swift, impartial probe without offering protection to anyone,” he stated. This marks the eighth time Choi has vetoed a bill since assuming interim leadership in December, including a previous special counsel proposal related to Yoon’s martial law order.
Authorities have reinforced security measures around the Constitutional Court, preparing to deploy pepper spray and batons if unrest breaks out. The precautions came after a January violent incident when Yoon Suk Yeol’s supporters stormed a court building. A 100-meter security perimeter has been established, and barbed wire has been installed along the court’s walls to prevent any breaches, local media reported.
