PUBLISHED: 4 Apr 2025 at 10:55
SEOUL — In a historic ruling, South Korea’s Constitutional Court has upheld the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol, finding him guilty of violating the constitution through his controversial declaration of martial law.
The court unanimously voted to remove Yoon from office, citing serious constitutional violations stemming from his December 3 decision to deploy armed soldiers to parliament in an attempt to thwart civilian rule. This move has raised widespread alarm, leading to his arrest on separate insurrection charges.
The ruling mandates that new presidential elections must take place within the next 60 days.
Acting court President Moon Hyung-bae emphasized the significant ramifications of Yoon’s actions. “Given the serious negative impact and far-reaching consequences of the respondent’s constitutional violations… we dismiss respondent President Yoon Suk Yeol,” he stated.
The court’s eight judges, provided with enhanced security due to rising tensions, collectively condemned Yoon’s actions. They argued that his deployment of armed forces was a blatant violation of democratic principles and posed a threat to the stability of the constitutional order.
The judges concluded that Yoon’s decision to send troops for political purposes constituted a severe violation that betrayed public trust and could not be tolerated in a constitutional democracy.
Impeachment Milestone
This marks the second time in history that a South Korean president has been impeached by the Constitutional Court, following the precedent set by Park Geun-hye in 2017.
After weeks of hearings, the court contemplated the case amid growing public unrest, culminating in heightened police alerts and increased security measures around the courthouse.
As the verdict was announced, reactions varied dramatically; anti-Yoon demonstrators celebrated passionately, while supporters outside Yoon’s residence reacted with dismay and anger, with reports of extreme protests resulting in tragic self-immolation incidents among loyalists.
Despite his impeachment, Yoon remains influential among a staunch base that believes his measures were necessary to confront supposed “anti-state forces.” This division highlights the ongoing social and political tensions within the nation.
Political Instability Continues
South Korea has struggled with a leadership vacuum since Yoon’s martial law declaration, facing various crises simultaneously, including devastating natural disasters and heightened international trade tensions.
Following recent tariffs imposed by a major ally, South Korea’s political landscape remains precarious, with calls for stability amid ongoing challenges.
Yoon’s legal troubles continue, as he faces separate charges of insurrection for his martial law actions, adding to the complexity of the country’s current political climate.
