South Korea’s Constitutional Court has removed President Yoon Suk Yeol from office, bringing to a close months of political crisis after his disputed order of martial law in December. The decision was made on Friday, confirming an earlier impeachment vote passed by the nation’s parliament.
Yoon, who is required to leave the presidential mansion immediately, now exits the nation heading for a new general election. According to national law, a new president is required to be elected within 60 days.
An eight-member panel of justices ruled unanimously that Yoon’s declaration of martial law was unconstitutional. Acting Head Judge Moon Hyung-bae stated that the president had ‘exceeded his authority’ by bypassing legal procedures and using military power to silence legislators.
The court held that there was no constitutional national emergency to warrant such a move, holding that his decision was against democratic norms and civil liberties.
Arrest, Release, and Pending Charges
Yoon was first arrested in January on charges of insurrection. Even though a court later cancelled his arrest warrant in March, the charges remain unwithdrawn. He is still under investigation and may still be sentenced to life imprisonment or even capital punishment although South Korea hasn’t executed anyone in decades.
The ruling has polarized the public sharply. Outside the courthouse, demonstrators and opposition leaders celebrated the verdict. Conservative supporters, on the other hand, gathered near the president’s residence in protest, denouncing Yoon’s ousting in anger and disappointment.
More About Yoon’s Career
Yoon’s political fall is particularly ironic in light of his history. At one time, a celebrated prosecutor, he was the driving force behind the impeachment of then-President Park Geun-hye in 2017. Ironically, he now meets the same fate, becoming South Korea’s second president ousted by the Constitutional Court.
His razor-thin 2022 presidential election victory was won with only 48.56% of the vote—South Korea’s closest election to date defeating Democratic Party challenger Lee Jae-myung.
Yoon’s presidency was in the news early on when he decided to move the presidential office from the Blue House to the Ministry of National Defense building. Globally, he cultivated close relations with Washington and was even invited by then-U.S. President Joe Biden to a White House state dinner, where he performed ‘American Pie’, drawing international media attention.
But at home, Yoon encountered mounting disillusionment. Brouhaha-provoking initiatives such as raising maximum weekly work hours and minimum wage mandates, along with anti-feminism and attempts to tighten the government’s hold on the police, provoked large-scale protests.
To the flame was added the accusations of luxury gifts accepted by his wife, Kim Keon Hee—the final nail in his image-building.
December’s Martial Law Move Backfires
The tipping point, however, arrived on December 3, 2024, when Yoon imposed martial law. Although lasting only six hours before being retreated, the decision was interpreted as an unconstitutional endeavor to disperse the National Assembly and muzzle dissidence.
Yoon invoked political stalemate and threats from ‘anti-state elements’ allied with North Korea as excuse. But the military commanders subsequently admitted they were ordered to expel lawmakers by force from parliament—a move universally condemned as a coup. His political base eroded following the martial law fiasco. His impeachment sparked broader repercussions, including the removal of his prime minister and acting president.
South Korea now prepares for a critical election season. Among its top contenders is opposition leader Lee Jae-myung, Yoon’s 2022 opponent.
Even outside the office today, Yoon still has to contend with legal cases, most notably the trial for insurrection. If convicted, the deposed president could face extremely severe punishments under South Korean law.
While the country navigates this historic transition, the world is waiting to see how the public, political parties, and judiciary react to the repercussions of one of South Korea’s most dramatic political scandals.