South Korea's Constitutional Court has overturned the parliament's decision to impeach Justice Minister Park Song-jae. The charges against him were related to his alleged involvement in the December 3 declaration of martial law by ousted President Yun Suk-yeol, Yonhap news agency reported, BTA reports.
“There is no evidence or objective materials to support the accusations that the minister assisted the president in declaring martial law, either by explicit or tacit consent“, the court ruling stated.
Park was accused of failing to object during a cabinet meeting immediately before the president's decision. According to the parliamentary opposition, he participated in drafting the government's response after the parliament lifted martial law and even coordinated the establishment of a detention center for lawmakers while the state of emergency was still in effect.
Minister Park has categorically denied all the allegations. He said he had actively tried to persuade President Yoon not to resort to such actions and that he had not participated in drafting any follow-up measures.