Key Points
Court to rule on Yoon's impeachment after 107-day delay
PPP urges neutral verdict while DP demands removal
6 of 8 judges must agree to uphold impeachment
Precedent shows lengthy rulings for past impeachments
At 11 a.m. on Friday, the court will decide whether to reinstate or dismiss Yoon, who was impeached by the National Assembly on charges of violating the Constitution and laws through his brief imposition of martial law on December 3.
"We expect every justice of the Constitutional Court to make a neutral and impartial decision in consideration of national interests," the ruling People Power Party (PPP)'s interim leader, Kwon Young-se, told reporters.
Kwon expressed hope that Yoon's impeachment motion would be dismissed, stressing that the Opposition parties should respect whatever outcome is ultimately reached.
The main Opposition Democratic Party (DP), meanwhile, welcomed the court's decision to deliver the ruling this week, stressing that the court should formally remove Yoon from office.
"It's at least a relief that the ruling is scheduled for Friday," DP floor leader Park Chan-dae said. "The best verdict to quell and end the current situation surrounding the insurrection is without a doubt to dismiss Yoon -- the mastermind behind the insurrection."
Park expressed confidence that the court would rule unanimously in favour of Yoon's impeachment, Yonhap news agency reported.
Currently, the court has an eight-member Bench, and consent by at least six standing judges is necessary to uphold Yoon's impeachment.
Yoon was impeached on December 14 over his failed bid to impose martial law.
It took 63 days for former South Korean President Roh Moo-hyun to be reinstated and 92 days for former President Park Geun-hye to be removed from office from the passage of their impeachment motions.
With 107 days having passed since Yoon's impeachment, the court has yet to rule on the case. On April 18, the terms of two judges appointed by the previous administration will expire.
