In a historic and unprecedented ruling, South Korea’s Constitutional Court on Friday upheld the National Assembly’s impeachment motion, removing President Yoon Suk Yeol from office over his controversial imposition of martial law last year—a move that plunged the nation into its most severe political crisis in decades.
The court’s unanimous decision, delivered by Acting Chief Justice Moon Hyung-bae, found that Yoon had “violated his duty as president” by overstepping his constitutional authority, declaring that his actions “seriously challenged democracy.”
Justice Moon stated that Yoon’s declaration of martial law had “created chaos in all areas of society, the economy, and foreign policy,” calling it a “grave betrayal of the people’s trust.” The ruling marks a dramatic fall for the conservative leader, who now faces a criminal trial on insurrection charges.
Yoon, 64, became the first sitting South Korean president to be arrested in January but was released in March after a court canceled his detention warrant. His impeachment and removal from office now set the stage for a snap presidential election within 60 days, as mandated by the constitution.
The crisis erupted on December 3, 2023, when Yoon declared martial law, citing the need to root out “anti-state” elements and accusing the opposition Democratic Party of abusing its parliamentary majority to “destroy the country.” The decree, which authorized security forces to seal off the National Assembly, was lifted just six hours later after lawmakers defied the order and voted to reject it.
Though Yoon claimed he never intended to fully implement military rule and downplayed the fallout—insisting no one was harmed—the move triggered months of mass protests and deepened political divisions.
Outside the courthouse, thousands of protesters who had camped out overnight erupted in cheers as the ruling was announced, chanting, “We won!” The decision has been hailed by opposition leaders as a victory for democracy, while Yoon’s supporters condemned it as a politically motivated attack.
With Yoon’s removal, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo will serve as acting president until a new leader is elected. The upcoming election is expected to be fiercely contested, with opposition parties seeking to capitalize on public anger over Yoon’s actions.
Meanwhile, South Korea’s political instability comes at a delicate time, as the nation navigates economic challenges and adjusts to the new administration of U.S. President Donald Trump. Analysts warn that prolonged uncertainty could further strain diplomatic and economic stability in the region.
As the dust settles, one question remains: Will the court’s ruling bring closure—or deepen the fractures in South Korea’s democracy?
—Reporting by USA New Times International Desk
