04-04-2025
Religious leaders urge unity after court ousted Yoon Suk Yeol
Leaders representing major religions in South Korea called for unity behind a court ruling that removed President Yoon Suk Yeol from office for his ill-fated martial law declaration on Dec. 3.
The Catholic Bishops' Conference of Korea said politicians should work together to restore people's trust, respecting the Constitutional Court of Korea's decision Friday.
'Politicians should remember serving their people and listen to each other to cultivate better politics,' the CBCK said in a statement.
The National Council of Churches in Korea, the most progressive of the four largest Protestant alliances in the country, said government officials should contain the fallout from the leadership vacuum prompted by the ruling. An early election must now be held within 60 days to elect a new leader.
The United Christian Churches of Korea, another Protestant alliance, said resorting to violence would be something God would disapprove of, referring to potential violent protests following the ruling. Streets and roads near the Constitutional Court were cordoned off Friday, and nearby schools and museums were closed, as were the royal palaces, in anticipation of clashes between protesters.
The Anglican Church of Korea described the ruling as a watershed moment, calling on the country 'to grow stronger while tolerant of differences.'
The Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism said the court's decision is evidence of the fact that the Constitution and democracy are both working.
The Constitutional Court, in its ruling, said using martial law while avoiding politically engaging the opposition was not democratic.
