By Shim Jae-yun
Staff Reporter

The Constitutional Court will make its historic ruling to determine the fate of the impeached President Roh Moo-hyun at 10 a.m. on Friday in an announcement at the court’s main chamber in downtown Seoul.

The final ruling, which will be broadcast live across the nation, draws keen attention as it deals with the nation’s first impeachment motion against a head of state.

Many political observers and legal experts believe it is a foregone conclusion that the court will dismiss the impeachment, but Chong Wa Dae is waiting nervously for the decision. A consensus by at least six out of nine justices to uphold the motion, passed by the opposition parties on March 12, would see Roh permanently removed from office and a new presidential election held within two months.

The Constitutional Court has maintained a strict media embargo on discussing the case since making its tentative ruling last week.

If Roh is exonerated, he will return to office in a much stronger position to push ahead with his reform agenda, with the ruling Uri Party set to enjoy a majority in the incoming National Assembly. The new Assembly session opens on May 30.

In anticipation of a favorable verdict, Roh and his Chong Wa Dae aids have been mapping out measures to shakeup the Cabinet and the presidential office.

Roh will address the nation from Chong Wa Dae at 10 a.m. on Saturday, according to Chong Wa Dae officials. The speech will be broadcast nationwide, and political observers will be looking to it as an indication of Roh’s approach to his continued governance.

Chong Wa Dae has been quietly optimistic about the court’s decision, particularly since the Uri Party’s victory in the April 15 general elections, which was seen as a public vote of confidence in Roh’s presidency.

The court on Thursday held its last meeting to discuss final details on the ruling, which will be made open to 60 members of the public through an Internet lottery.

The impeachment motion, initiated by the opposition GNP and the Millennium Democratic Party, charged Roh with illegal campaigning, being involved in corruption by his subordinates and incompetent management of the economy.

But the motion triggered public outrage and enabled the de facto ruling Uri Party, consisting of Roh’s followers, to record a resounding victory in the general elections.

The MDP suffered worst while the GNP lost its majority in the incoming 17th National Assembly.

If cleared from the impeachment motion, Roh presidency is expected get a significant boost.

``We are calmly awaiting the final ruling while preparing needed things in preparation for the president’s return,’’ presidential spokesman Yoon Tai-young told reporters.

jayshim@koreatimes.co.kr