South Korea’s Constitutional Court has removed President Yoon Suk-yeol from office, ending months of political turmoil sparked by his controversial declaration of martial law in December 2024. The ruling, delivered on Friday, marks the second time in South Korean history that a president has been ousted through impeachment, following the removal of Park Geun-hye in 2017.
The court’s eight justices upheld the National Assembly’s impeachment motion from December 14, 2024, which accused Yoon of violating the constitution by imposing martial law, deploying troops to the legislature, and attempting to suppress parliamentary activities. Acting Chief Justice Moon Hyung-bae, in a nationally televised verdict, stated that Yoon’s actions lacked legal justification and did not meet the threshold of a national crisis required for such an emergency measure. The brief six-hour martial law decree, which saw troops sent to the National Assembly and other key locations in Seoul, was overturned by lawmakers who defied security cordons to vote it down.
The decision has triggered widespread celebrations among Yoon’s critics, with thousands gathered outside the court in Seoul erupting in cheers and chants of “we won!” Meanwhile, his supporters expressed dismay, with some warning of further division. The ruling People Power Party (PPP) issued a statement accepting the verdict, with legislator Kwon Young-se apologizing to the public and pledging to respect the court’s authority.
Yoon’s ousting sets the stage for a new presidential election, which must be held within 60 days. Surveys indicate that Lee Jae-myung, leader of the opposition Democratic Party, is an early favorite to succeed Yoon. However, Yoon also faces a separate criminal trial on insurrection charges tied to the martial law declaration, a case that remains unaffected by today’s ruling.
