South Korean Catholic bishops are calling for national unity and reconciliation following the impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol by the Constitutional Court on 4 April 2025. The bishops emphasize the need for a responsible and moral leader to restore social harmony amid increasing political polarization.
Bishop Matthias Ri Iong-hoon, President of the Korean Bishops’ Conference, stressed the importance of unity and reconciliation in the country. They urged the election of a leader who prioritizes the people’s welfare over partisan conflicts and understands the true meaning of presidential power. The Catholic Church in Korea will pray for peaceful elections and the realization of justice and true peace in the country.
President Yoon Suk-yeol was impeached after his short-lived martial law declaration on 3 December 2024, which sparked a strong backlash from the opposition. The Constitutional Court’s ruling emphasized that his actions violated fundamental democratic principles, especially the political neutrality of the armed forces.
South Korea will hold fresh presidential elections within 60 days. The bishops have called on politicians to promote a politics of mutual respect and listening, oriented toward coexistence, and to prioritize the people’s welfare over partisan conflicts.