Seoul: The ruling People Power Party (PPP) has announced its commitment to abide by the Constitutional Court’s upcoming decision regarding President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment trial. This was confirmed by the party’s floor leader, Rep. Kweon Seong-dong, who emphasized the party’s official stance as the court deliberates Yoon’s future following his impeachment due to a brief martial law declaration on December 3. The court has not yet set a date for the ruling, but it is anticipated to be announced this week.

According to Yonhap News Agency, Rep. Kweon stated, “Our party’s official stance is that (we) will accept the court’s decision,” highlighting the binding nature of constitutional trials. If President Yoon is removed from office, South Korea will need to conduct a snap presidential election within 60 days. Conversely, if reinstated, Yoon will continue to serve his term until May 2027.

Additionally, Kweon urged the court to expedite its decision on Prime Minister Han Duck-soo’s impeachment trial. He referenced Washington’s earlier designation of Seoul as a “sensitive” country in January, just before former President Joe Biden left office. Kweon noted, “It has been 80 days since Prime Minister Han has been suspended from his duties. We have already wasted a significant amount of golden time at a national level.”

Furthermore, Kweon acknowledged the necessity for the South Korean government to “humbly accept” criticism, attributing the oversight of the designation to governmental shortcomings. Recently, the U.S. Department of Energy stated that Seoul was placed in the lowest category of its “sensitive and other designated countries list” by the Biden administration, sparking concerns about potential disruptions in joint advanced technology cooperation.