The People Power Party is Dangerous
Recently, the People Power Party (PPP) has launched an organized smear campaign against the Constitutional Court. Their core argument is that the Constitutional Court justices have a particular ideological bias and will render decisions that lack procedural legitimacy. This claim goes beyond mere political rhetoric; it seriously threatens the legal order and the foundation of democracy. Ultimately, this appears to be a preemptive move to justify rejecting the Constitutional Court’s decision should it rule in favor of impeachment. This article analyzes the dangers that such actions pose to democracy.
1. The Independence of the Constitutional Court and the PPP’s Attacks
The Constitutional Court plays a vital role in upholding the Korean Constitution and checking the abuse of power by state institutions. Its decisions carry legal legitimacy, and challenging them is a direct attack on the constitutional order.
Despite this, the PPP is attempting to undermine the court’s credibility by claiming that justices affiliated with a particular legal research association (Our Law Research Society) are biased. This argument is fundamentally flawed. Simply because a judge has been involved in a specific research group does not mean their rulings are distorted. Such claims ultimately deny judicial independence. If this logic were valid, individuals with any political inclination would be ineligible to serve as judges, which would dismantle the very foundation of democracy.
2. The Strategy to Undermine Court Rulings
The PPP’s strategic goal is clear: as the likelihood of an impeachment ruling increases, they seek to preemptively erode the Constitutional Court’s credibility so that, if impeachment is upheld, they can justify rejecting the outcome. This tactic has been used before. During the 2017 impeachment of former President Park Geun-hye, the PPP also engaged in similar defamation and refusals to accept the ruling. This is not just political rhetoric; it is a dangerous attempt to undermine democracy’s fundamental principles.
The Constitutional Court’s decisions are legally binding. Denying them shakes the very foundation of the rule of law. The PPP’s ongoing attacks on the court are laying the groundwork for refusing to accept an impeachment ruling and inciting the public. This will lead to political turmoil, deepen national division, and ultimately collapse the legal order.
3. The Risk of Undermining Democracy
The core principle of democracy and the rule of law is respect for legal governance. The PPP’s rejection of the Constitutional Court’s independence, its challenge to justices’ integrity, and its outright denial of legal procedures are extremely dangerous. Such strategies should never be tolerated in a democratic society governed by laws and procedures.
The PPP’s offensive against the Constitutional Court is not just political rhetoric; it is an attempt to shake the fundamental framework of democracy. These actions undermine the Constitution and ultimately threaten the country’s legal order. If rejecting Constitutional Court decisions becomes a repeated pattern whenever they contradict a particular party’s interests, South Korea’s rule of law will face a serious crisis.
4. Historical Comparisons
Similar cases can be found worldwide. Former U.S. President Donald Trump, after losing the 2020 election, refused to accept the court’s decisions and incited his supporters to reject the election results. This led to the tragic U.S. Capitol riot. This case demonstrates the chaos that can ensue when democratic institutions are not respected.
In South Korea, during Park Geun-hye’s impeachment, some opposition forces strongly resisted the ruling, but ultimately, the legal process was respected, and the impeachment was finalized. However, the PPP’s current stance goes beyond mere opposition—it seeks to outright deny the outcome. This is a dangerous move that threatens the country’s system, and, as seen in the U.S., could lead to serious social unrest. The violent incidents at the Western District Court already demonstrate the consequences of such incitement.
5. Conclusion: The Crisis of Democracy and the People’s Role
The PPP’s continued assault on the Constitutional Court is not just a political maneuver; it is a fundamental threat to South Korean democracy. Respecting the Constitutional Court’s rulings is an essential obligation in a democratic state. Denying these rulings will only lead to legal chaos and social strife.
The public must closely observe these actions and remain vigilant. Democracy is not the property of any single political force; it can only be maintained when laws and procedures are upheld. The PPP’s preemptive delegitimization of the Constitutional Court and preparations to reject its rulings pose a grave danger to South Korea’s legal and democratic order.
The People Power Party must immediately cease its attempts to undermine the Constitutional Court’s legitimacy and disrupt the legal order. Such behavior will only destroy South Korean democracy and further divide the people. If the PPP continues to pursue strategies that deny the rule of law, it will inevitably face strong public resistance and democratic judgment. The party must recognize that respecting legal principles and maintaining the rule of law is the only path to ensuring South Korea’s stability and future.