Concerns rise over ‘paralyzed’ Constitutional Court as justices delay verdict on Yoon Suk Yeol

As the highly anticipated Constitutional Court ruling on President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment continues to be delayed, with no date for the verdict yet announced, concerns are mounting over the court’s ability to make a decision within a certain time frame, as two sitting justices are due to retire in just a few weeks.

As of Friday, 105 days have passed since the National Assembly passed the motion to impeach Yoon. The justices concluded their hearings on the suspended president’s impeachment on Feb. 25.

Legal experts now suggest that the earliest possible date for Yoon’s ruling could be next week -- either April 2 or 4.

If the decision is delayed further, it would most likely coincide with the April 18 retirements of acting Chief Justice Moon Hyung-bae and Justice Lee Mi-son -- increasing worries of a “paralyzed” court, one incapable of handling a critical constitutional matter.

If both justices were to step down without ready replacements, the court would be reduced to six members -- falling short of the seven-member quorum required to issue a binding ruling.

Even if replacements are named swiftly, questions may linger about the legitimacy and political neutrality of such appointments.

Currently, acting Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who was reinstated to his post after the court dismissed his impeachment on Monday, has yet to appoint justice nominee Ma Eun-hyuk or name successors for the two retiring justices.

Even if Han were to appoint justices imminently, the political backdrop could cast doubt on any decision made by a newly formed bench.

Despite the uncertainty, the court will likely make a ruling before the two justices retire to avoid a legitimacy crisis.

In 2017, the court ruled on former President Park Geun-hye’s impeachment just three days before the acting chief justice’s term expired.

With the court’s deliberation on Yoon’s case dragging on for more than a month, political tensions persist on the streets, too.

Over the weekend, both pro- and anti-impeachment groups are organizing large-scale rallies across Seoul.

Progressive coalitions, including “Emergency action for immediate resignation and social reform” (direct translation) and “Candlelight Action,” will gather to demand Yoon’s removal, drawing some 100,000 protesters to the streets.

Conservative groups, including the ”Korea Restoration Movement” led by Pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon, will hold counter-protests calling for the impeachment motion to be dismissed. Yoon’s supporters, including several right-leaning organizations, have been staging marches and press conferences near the court for over a week.