South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has been removed from office after the Constitutional Court unanimously upheld parliament’s impeachment over his December martial law declaration. Acting Chief Justice Moon Hyung-bae delivered a scathing verdict, stating Yoon “violated his duty as president” and committed “a grave betrayal of the people’s trust” by acting beyond his constitutional powers. The ruling caps months of political turmoil that began when Yoon ordered troops to storm parliament.
Martial Law Crisis and Its Aftermath
The crisis erupted on December 3 when Yoon made a surprise late-night declaration of martial law, claiming it necessary to root out “anti-state” elements. Special operations soldiers arrived by helicopter and broke windows as they attempted to enter parliament, but lawmakers quickly voted to reject the order, and Yoon lifted the decree six hours later. Though brief, the attempt reawakened fears of South Korea’s dictatorial past and demonstrated that martial law was not, as most had assumed, consigned to history. A snap election to choose Yoon’s replacement must be held by June 3, with Prime Minister Han Duck-soo serving as acting president until a new leader is sworn in.
Public Reaction and Legal Consequences
The ruling sparked contrasting reactions across Seoul, with thousands at anti-Yoon rallies erupting into cheers while his supporters watched in stunned silence. Though Yoon apologized through his lawyers, saying “I am so sorry that I wasn’t able to live up to your expectations,” his legal team denounced the decision as “a political” one. His troubles are far from over, as he still faces a criminal trial on insurrection charges carrying a maximum sentence of death or life imprisonment. Yoon made history as the first sitting South Korean president to be arrested on January 15, though he was later released pending trial.
Political Division and Future Challenges
The crisis has left South Korea deeply divided. Initially united against the martial law attempt, the country has seen growing support for Yoon’s claims about “anti-state forces” and election rigging. Over a third of people now express distrust in the Constitutional Court, with far-right protests occurring weekly in central Seoul. The next leader faces urgent challenges including North Korea’s military threats, China’s diplomatic pressure, and the economic impact of President Trump’s 25% tariffs on South Korean imports. The finance ministry has proposed a $7 billion stimulus package to shore up the slowing economy, marking South Korea’s second presidential impeachment in six years following former president Park Geun-hye’s removal in 2017.
Election Outlook
Lee Jae-myung, the populist leader of the liberal Democratic Party who narrowly lost to Yoon in 2022, is considered the front-runner in the upcoming election, though he faces multiple corruption trials of his own. The conservative field remains wide open following Yoon’s removal. As a symbol of the president’s ouster, the presidential flag has been lowered at the official residence, and portraits of Yoon will be removed from military bases across the country in accordance with protocol.