How Constitutional Court reaches verdict, according to memoirs of ex-justice
The justices on the current eight-member bench are reportedly reviewing the case every day except for most weekends, even doing so during the March 1 Independence Movement Day holiday.
According to the memoir of the top court's former chief justice Kim Yong-jun, "Looking Into the Oral History of the Constitutional Court," justices deliberate in a closed-off area that no one else — not even judicial researchers — can enter. Wiretap detection devices are installed in the room where the judges sit at the round table and debate the matter, which Kim says is without a strict format.
This debate can sometimes become heated, but, according to former justice Hwang Do-yun, it never becomes a source of conflict among the justices.
Judicial researchers are not given access to discussions, but they play a crucial role in providing information related to the matter at hand and legal precedents set, sometimes in other countries. The researchers are usually appointed among judges, but outstanding public officials can also be appointed to serve for a fixed term of up to three years.
A task force of 10 judicial researchers is aiding the Yoon impeachment case. They will help draft the provisional verdict, which is amended multiple times in the deliberation process.
Final statements are conducted in the reverse order of the judges' tenures at the Constitutional Court, with the most recently appointed justice speaking first, according to ex-justice Chung Kyung-sik.
A final vote determines the verdict if a unanimous agreement is not reached. An impeachment ruling can be confirmed with the approval of six or more Constitutional Court justices, and dissenting judges can include their rationale in the ruling as a minority opinion.
Even in the case of a unanimous decision, a justice can state their opinion through supplementary comments.
Although the current court has eight justices with one seat vacant, the six-vote threshold remains to confirm Yoon's removal from office.
As the deliberation process wraps up, the court publicly announces the date of the verdict in advance. The announcement is made after the defendant is confirmed to have received and checked the date.
In the case of past presidential impeachment cases of former leaders Roh Moo-hyun and Park Geun-hye, the dates of their rulings were announced three and two days before, respectively.
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Korea Herald
8 hours ago
- Korea Herald
From ashes of war to arsenal of world: South Korea's defense industry boom
As top 10 arms exporter, Seoul's modern weapons soar globally, but guarding tech, talent remains challenge It was 72 years ago that the bloody 1950–53 Korean War ended with an armistice. Today, the once-war-ravaged nation stands among the world's leading arms exporters, its factories turning out advanced tanks, artillery systems and fighter jets destined for battlefields far beyond the Korean Peninsula. South Korea's arms industry is riding a wave of global demand, but the current geopolitical climate brings both opportunity and risk. Its weapons are in high demand for their advanced technology and fast delivery, yet the country must tread carefully, as shifting alliances and regional tensions complicate the path forward. Turning crisis into opportunity South Korea, in recent years, has often been listed among the world's top 10 arms exporters, in the ranks with the United States, Russia and China. It was No. 10 among global arms exporters, with a 2.2 percent share of the market in the 2020-2024 period, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. The South Korean government is now setting its sights on breaking into the ranks of the world's top four arms exporters. 'South Korea has rapidly matured into one of the world's leading arms exporters, backed by a highly capable manufacturing base, proven platforms and a track record of delivering on time and at scale,' Yu Ji-hoon, a research fellow at the Korea Institute for Defense Analyses, told The Korea Herald. Yet it took decades of sustained effort to get this far. In 1971, the United States began withdrawing troops from South Korea, reducing the number of American soldiers stationed there, even as tensions with North Korea persisted in the decades after the Korean War. The withdrawal was carried out under the Richard Nixon administration, which pushed for allied nations to strengthen their own self-defense capabilities. This prompted South Korea to concentrate its efforts on developing and producing advanced weaponry to achieve self-reliance in defense. In 1973, the government launched a full-scale initiative to promote the heavy and chemical industries, a critical component in manufacturing weapons, according to the Korea Development Institute. The Russian arms repayment project, a unique post-Cold War arms-for-debt arrangement between Seoul and Moscow, which started in the late 1980s, was another driving force behind the South's defense industry. Instead of cash repayments, Russia repaid part of the debt with military equipment and related technology. Until the mid-2010s, South Korea's arms exports were largely concentrated in ammunition, naval vessels and some aerospace components. But its export portfolio has since started to diversify and expand. Provider of world-class weapons In South Korea's expanding arms export portfolio, the K2 tank, dubbed "Black Panther' and built by Hyundai Rotem, has been a flagship item. It first entered service with the military here in 2014. The K2 is South Korea's most advanced main battle tank, designed for speed, precision and adaptability on the mountainous Korean Peninsula. In recent years, it has drawn major international orders, most notably from Poland, as militaries seek modern armor to replace aging Cold War units. It is central to South Korea's largest-ever defense export deals, including the one with Poland, signed in 2022,in which Warsaw ordered 180 K2 Black Panther tanks from Hyundai Rotem in a $3.37 billion agreement. Deliveries began within months, far faster than European or American suppliers could offer. In 2025, Warsaw followed with a $6.5 billion contract for 180 upgraded K2PL tanks, to be produced in part in Poland. The two phases, part of a broader plan involving the manufacturing of up to 1,000 K2s, have made Seoul one of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's most important new arms partners and cemented South Korea's status as a major player in the global defense market. Other key weapons in the portfolio are the K239 Chunmoo Multiple Rocket Launcher System, K9 self-propelled howitzer, FA-50 fighter jets and Surion helicopters. Prominent deals made with global clients include K239 Chunmoo MLRS systems purchased by the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia in 2017 and 2022, respectively. South Korea on Thursday signed a $250 million agreement to supply Vietnam with 20 K9 self-propelled howitzers, marking the weapon's first deployment to a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations bloc. The K9 is already in service in countries such as Turkey and Egypt. Experts say South Korea's growing appeal lies in its weapons' balance of cost and capability — and in its ability to offer buyers comprehensive, tailor-made packages. 'South Korean-manufactured weapons, including the K9 self-propelled howitzer, offer proven performance, interoperability with Western systems and cost-effectiveness,' explained Yu, who is also a former professor of military strategy at the South Korea's Naval Academy. 'More importantly, Seoul has demonstrated willingness to localize production, transfer technology and support customers' domestic capability development.' South Korean arms-makers are increasingly structuring export deals to include technology transfers and licensed local production, allowing buyer nations to build part — or in some cases most — of the weapons on their soil. This approach not only sweetens contracts in competitive bidding, but it also aligns with many countries' desire to develop their domestic defense industries. This is reflected in Hyundai Rotem's Poland deal, as well as Hanwha Aerospace will establish joint production lines for the K9 howitzer and Chunmoo rocket system, with Romania and Poland, respectively. 'It's a key all-in-one package deal strategy played out by South Korean arms manufacturers — providing technology transfer, customized weapons and factories for the buyers,' Choi Gi-il, a professor of military studies at Sangji University, said via phone. Rosy future, lingering risks South Korea's arms exports fell to $9.5 billion last year after hitting a record high of $17.3 billion in 2022 and sliding to $13.5 billion in 2023, according to its arms procurement agency, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration. DAPA is cautiously eyeing a $23 billion goal for this year. The agency's ambitions may get a lift this year from favorable geopolitical winds, according to an expert. NATO allies have recently agreed to more than double their defense spending target from 2 percent of gross domestic product to 5 percent by 2035, creating a surge of demand for new equipment. Adding to the momentum, Seoul's latest cooperation with Washington in the shipbuilding sector, under a joint initiative known as 'Make American Shipbuilding Great Again,' is expected to further bolster South Korea's defense export prospects. Seoul has put forward sweeping proposals for joint shipbuilding projects with the US, a move that was reportedly pivotal in securing a tariff agreement with the administration of US President Donald Trump earlier this month. 'Overall, South Korea's defense industry is likely to get a lift this year from NATO's increase in defense spending target and Seoul's role in building American ships, as well as cooperation on maintenance, repair and overhaul projects for the sector,' Choi of Sangji University said. Choi added that South Korea's existing top clients are likely to continue to make steady purchases. 'Looking at global arms exports by region, the most prominent markets include Eastern European countries facing wartime conditions and Middle Eastern nations, where unstable security situations are driving demand,' he noted. However, the new momentum carries its own risks. 'The global trend right now resembles Trump's reshoring policy, aimed at bringing manufacturing and supply chains — particularly in strategic industries — back to the US,' said Choi. 'For South Korea, that could mean a new battle to protect its hard-won edge, guarding against the loss of technology and skilled personnel as it undertakes certain projects.' mkjung@
Korea Herald
9 hours ago
- Korea Herald
Traffic control, 6,500 police slated for president's belated inauguration in Seoul
South Korean police will mobilize some 6,500 officers across Seoul on Friday, as thousands are expected to attend President Lee Jae Myung's inauguration and Liberation Day ceremonies around Gwanghwamun Square. Around 102 units of the local SWAT teams will be dispatched as a precaution against protests expected to be held across the nation's capital. The Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency has enacted partial traffic controls in the surrounding areas since Tuesday. Two lanes on both sides of the road from the rotary in front of Gyeongbokgung to the intersection at the south end of Gwanghwamun Square will be closed off until 8 p.m. Saturday. The inauguration ceremony will be held at 8 p.m. Friday as the highlight of the commemoration slated to start around 10 a.m. All lanes from the Sejong-daero intersection to City Hall Square will be under police control from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday, and the traffic control of the area around Gwanghwamun Square will be implemented until 8 p.m. on Saturday. The police recommended that the public use the subway when passing through the areas. Traffic will also be controlled in parts of Yeouido from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, including on Wonhyo Bridge heading north and Hangang Bridge heading south. Officials advised residents to seek alternate routes when passing through these areas. For real-time information on the roads under traffic control, check the homepage of the Seoul Transport Operation and Information Service. Officials on alert to prevent disturbance The measures are implemented to prevent possible disruptions to the ceremonies, as some 70 rallies have been reported to the authorities to be held near Gwanghwamun on Friday. Among them is a rally of some 10,000 participants hosted by controversial far-right pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon at Seoul Station — a little over 3 kilometers from Gwanghwamun Square. Though it is scheduled to conclude before the inauguration, concerns have been raised that some participants may cause disturbances. Jeon is among the vocal opponents of the liberal President Lee, and is currently under investigation for instigating a January attack by disgraced former leader Yoon Suk Yeol's supporters on a Seoul court. Supporters on the liberal side have also reported holding protests around the time of the inauguration ceremony. Police officials told local media outlets that SWAT members from other regions, such as Gyeonggi Province, will be mobilized for security during the ceremonies. The roofs of the high-rise buildings around Gwanghwamun will be sealed off Friday, and officials will be on the lookout for any unauthorized drones flying around the area.
Korea Herald
9 hours ago
- Korea Herald
Trump's leadership key in North Korea talks amid endgame standoff: FM
Seoul hopes Lee's first visit to Tokyo will clear up misunderstandings that his government is anti-Japan The resurrection of long-stalled nuclear talks between the United States and North Korea will hinge on US President Donald Trump's leadership, with an inevitable tug-of-war over the negotiations' ultimate goal, Seoul's top diplomat said Thursday. 'As for the current situation, I can say that we expect President Donald Trump's leadership to produce some progress,' South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun said during his first news briefing with local media at the Foreign Ministry headquarters in Seoul. "We are closely coordinating with the US, consulting on preparations and related matters as to how dialogue between North Korea and the US is currently proceeding," Cho added, declining to share further details. Asked whether substantive behind-the-scenes work was underway for dialogue between Pyongyang and Washington or if it was still only at the conceptual stage, Cho explained, 'If North Korea engages in dialogue with the US, it will likely demand that Washington recognize and accept its status as a nuclear-armed state.' 'However, for now, the US maintains that North Korea cannot possess nuclear weapons. Therefore, a push-and-pull between the two sides is inevitable.' Speaking at the briefing on condition of anonymity, a high-ranking official further explained that Washington and Pyongyang would have to find a middle ground to restart nuclear negotiations. 'How will the US-North Korea dialogue proceed? Will we allow it to move toward nuclear arms control talks as North Korea wishes? Just as it would be impossible to conduct negotiations solely on the premise of complete denuclearization, it would also be impossible to recognize North Korea as a nuclear-weapon state and to hold arms control talks on that basis,' the unnamed official said. 'Therefore, the two sides will have to find common ground somewhere and begin negotiations from there.' Nuclear talks have been effectively suspended since the abrupt breakdown of the second summit between North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and Trump in February 2019 in Hanoi, Vietnam. Speaking at the briefing, Cho also underscored that President Lee Jae Myung's decision to make Japan the destination of his first solo overseas trip — ahead of a visit to the US — reflects his administration's 'pragmatic, reality-based' foreign policy. Lee has notably broken from a longstanding practice; presidents in governments launched after the 1987 constitutional revision have typically chosen the United States for their first solo overseas trip. The sole exception was his predecessor, Yoon Suk Yeol, who met then-US President Joe Biden in Seoul in May 2022, just 11 days after taking office. 'I understand that it is unusual for the president to visit Japan before visiting the US, and for the foreign minister to choose Japan as the first country to visit,' Cho said. 'But this was possible because the Lee Jae Myung administration pursues a pragmatic, reality-based approach.' Lee is slated to visit Tokyo from Aug. 23-24 for his second in-person meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba before traveling to the US for his first summit with Trump on Aug. 25. Cho himself also visited Tokyo first in late July as his first overseas trip before his talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Washington. 'It is because we thought it natural to first talk with Japan, whose position is in many ways similar to ours, before visiting the US,' Cho said. The unnamed official explained that Cho's first trip to Tokyo was directed by President Lee. Against that backdrop, the president will visit Japan en route to the US. 'Such a sequence of visits is partially considered to address certain misconceptions or stigmas about the Lee Jae Myung administration,' the official said. He added that when the president visits Japan and then the US, "any prejudices about our government held in the US" that the Lee government is anti-Japan will be completely dispelled. On Japan policy, Cho said Seoul would pursue a 'multi-track approach,' dismissing the long-held notion of a two-track approach that separates historical disputes stemming from Japan's 1910-45 colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula from efforts to strengthen economic and security cooperation. Cho underscored that the two-track approach is too simplistic for Seoul and Tokyo, which face a wide range of intertwined issues — from the shifting global order to shared challenges such as population decline and regional extinction. 'Putting certain issues on one track and others on another is not that simple. In the end, the tracks intersect and influence each other,' Cho said. 'So a multi-track approach might be more appropriate.'
