Seoul, South Korea — South Korea’s Constitutional Court has officially removed President Yoon Suk Yeol from office, following a unanimous ruling that upheld his impeachment. The decision brings an end to months of political unrest and legal uncertainty triggered by Yoon’s controversial declaration of martial law in December 2024.
Yoon, a former top prosecutor turned president, had been under intense scrutiny since deploying troops to the National Assembly in what lawmakers and prosecutors described as an attempted insurrection. The martial law decree, which lasted six hours, was widely condemned as an authoritarian overreach.
In January, Yoon was arrested on charges of leading an insurrection but was released in March after a court revoked his arrest warrant. The charges, however, remain in place and could carry a life sentence or even the death penalty under South Korean law—though the country hasn’t executed anyone in decades.
A Divided Nation Responds
The Constitutional Court’s decision was met with mixed reactions nationwide. Thousands of citizens gathered in Seoul in both support and protest of Yoon’s removal. Authorities had ramped up security, erecting barricades and checkpoints around government buildings and warning against civil disorder.
"This is a victory for our democracy," said one lawmaker from the opposition Democratic Party. "No leader should ever undermine the constitution for political convenience."
The ruling follows Yoon’s impeachment by parliament in December, which also saw the removal of the prime minister and acting president in the ensuing political chaos.
Presidential Election Within 60 Days
Under South Korean law, a new presidential election must be held within 60 days. Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung—who narrowly lost to Yoon in 2022—is widely expected to run again.
Yoon’s downfall leaves a power vacuum in Seoul at a time of global uncertainty. The U.S., one of South Korea’s closest allies, has yet to comment officially, though Yoon’s close relationship with former President Joe Biden had been seen as a pillar of the U.S.-South Korea alliance.
From Prosecutor to President to Pariah
Yoon’s meteoric rise was marked by his role in the prosecution of former President Park Geun-hye, who was removed from office in 2017. Ironically, he now becomes the second president in South Korea’s history to be ousted by the Constitutional Court—and the shortest-serving president since the country embraced democracy.
His presidency was marred by clashes with an opposition-controlled parliament, stalled reforms, and widespread criticism over his handling of domestic affairs. Critics described his martial law decree as a desperate move to bypass democratic checks and consolidate power.
During his tenure, Yoon also became known for eccentric public moments, such as singing “American Pie” at a White House state dinner—an event meant to strengthen U.S.-Korea ties but one that many South Koreans saw as out of touch with their nation’s urgent issues.
What’s Next for Yoon?
While his political career appears over, Yoon’s legal troubles are far from resolved. His trial for insurrection is ongoing, and prosecutors are also reportedly investigating other alleged abuses of power during his brief presidency.
As South Korea prepares for a new election, the country faces a pivotal moment—one that will shape its political future and its standing on the global stage.
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