Seoul, South Korea — In a landmark decision, South Korea’s Constitutional Court unanimously upheld the impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol on Friday, sealing his removal from office over a controversial attempt to impose martial law.
Acting Chief Justice Moon Hyung-bae delivered the ruling during a live televised session, stating that President Yoon had breached his constitutional duty by undermining democratic institutions and violating citizens’ basic rights through the mobilization of military and police forces.
A Controversial Martial Law Attempt
On the night of December 3 last year, President Yoon declared an emergency martial law in response to escalating political tensions. The move was swiftly countered by the opposition-led National Assembly, which revoked the declaration just hours later.
During the tumultuous night, military helicopters landed on the grounds of the National Assembly, and hundreds of armed special forces stormed the parliamentary building, raising alarms over the president’s actions.
Unanimous Decision and Immediate Dismissal
The court’s eight justices agreed that the benefits of upholding the constitution through Yoon’s dismissal far outweighed any national loss resulting from his removal. The ruling took effect immediately, making Yoon the second sitting president in South Korea’s history to be forcibly removed from power, following the impeachment of former President Park Geun-hye in 2017.
Looking Ahead: Snap Elections
By law, a snap presidential election must be held within 60 days of the ruling, likely scheduling the vote for late May or early June. The nation now braces for a pivotal election that will determine its future leadership amid ongoing political upheaval.
Legal Proceedings and Potential Consequences
Yoon was apprehended on January 15 and indicted while in detention on January 26 as a suspected ringleader of insurrection, marking the first time a sitting South Korean president has been arrested and prosecuted. If convicted, he could face the death penalty or life imprisonment.
He was released on March 8 after prosecutors chose not to appeal a court’s decision to approve his release. The legal proceedings have gripped the nation, highlighting deep divisions within South Korean society.
A Historic Moment
This episode marks only the third time a South Korean president has been impeached by the National Assembly. The late President Roh Moo-hyun was also impeached in 2004 but was later reinstated after the Constitutional Court overturned the decision.
The Constitutional Court’s deliberation on Yoon’s case lasted 111 days, longer than both Park’s 92-day process and Roh’s 64-day period, reflecting the complexity and gravity of the situation.
As South Korea navigates this unprecedented moment, the world watches closely to see how the nation upholds democratic principles and moves forward from this crisis.
