| The date of Korea's next presidential election hinges on the Constitutional Court's decision on whether ― and when ― to pass the impeachment motion parliament adopted on Dec. 9. The poll could be just four months away. / Korea Times file |
By Ko Dong-hwan
Thousands of people in front of the National Assembly building cheered on Dec. 9 when parliament passed an impeachment motion against scandal-ridden President Park Geun-hye. It was a historical moment for Korea as the nationwide anti-Park candlelight demonstration that lasted seven weeks realized its goal.
Now people are turning their thoughts to a presidential election that ― unless the Constitutional Court dismisses the impeachment motion ― will come before the end of Park's five-year term in December 2017. Depending on the court's ruling, the election could be held in just four months.
The court must release its decision within 180 days of accepting the letter informing it of Dec. 9's parliamentary vote, which makes Jun. 6, 2017, the deadline.
If the court's decision comes then, the election ― which should be held within 60 days of the ruling ― will be before Aug. 4.
But an earlier decision is likely because the judges agreed that the motion "is of an utmost matter that must be handled fairly and promptly," according to the court's public information officer on Friday.
Complicating the matter is that the tenure of two of the court's nine judges will soon expire. The court requires agreement by at least six judges to pass the impeachment motion.
If the ruling comes before Jan. 31, when the court's President Park Han-chul steps down, the election will be held in March.
If it comes before Mar. 13, when Justice Lee Jung-mi withdraws, citizens will cast ballots in May.
Another possibility is that the ruling will come after the end of March, when the special prosecution team plans to release the results of its corruption scandal investigation, which will influence the court's ruling. That will see an election after June.
The last variable is that the court dismisses the motion and revalidates the President's authority. In that case, the election will be held on Dec. 20 next year.