•Constitutional Court upholds parliamentary impeachment over unconstitutional actions; new elections expected within 60 days
Seoul| South Korea’s Constitutional Court on Friday delivered a historic and unanimous ruling to formally remove President Yoon Suk Yeol from office, affirming the National Assembly’s impeachment decision and marking a dramatic climax to months of political turmoil triggered by his declaration of martial law late last year.
The court’s landmark judgment concluded that Yoon had gravely violated the constitution by ordering martial law on December 3, 2024.
The president had cited alleged threats of a “rebellion” from opposition lawmakers and accused them of colluding with North Korea, a claim widely viewed as unsubstantiated and politically motivated.
The controversial declaration was swiftly overturned by Parliament with strong backing from military leadership, who refused to enforce Yoon’s directives.
In mid-December, the National Assembly voted to impeach Yoon, citing abuse of power and a breach of constitutional duties. He was later arrested on January 15, pending further legal proceedings.
In a strongly worded opinion, Acting Chief Justice Moon Hyung-bae said the president had “mobilized military and police forces to dismantle the authority of constitutional institutions and infringed upon the fundamental rights of the people,” describing his actions as “unlawful and unconstitutional.”
“The negative consequences and ripple effects of these actions are substantial,” Moon added. “The benefit of restoring constitutional order through removal from office outweighs the national costs associated with the dismissal of a sitting president.”
The court categorically rejected Yoon’s defense, which sought to justify the imposition of martial law on national security grounds.
Instead, justices emphasized the president’s constitutional obligation to safeguard democratic institutions rather than undermine them.
In his first public comments following the ruling, Yoon accepted the verdict, calling it a “great honor” to have served the nation.
He expressed gratitude to his supporters, acknowledging his “many shortcomings” and urging calm. Despite his conciliatory tone, his arrest has triggered a new wave of unrest.
Violent protests erupted outside the Seoul Western District Court, with loyalists storming the premises in a chaotic scene reminiscent of political upheavals in other democracies.
Yoon has since been indicted on charges of leading an insurrection—one of the most serious crimes under South Korean law.
Unlike other offenses, a sitting or former president does not enjoy immunity from prosecution for insurrection.
Legal experts say the maximum penalty could include life imprisonment or even capital punishment if convicted.
With Yoon’s removal now final, the South Korean Constitution mandates that a new presidential election be held within 60 days.
Until a new leader is elected and inaugurated, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo will serve as acting president, ensuring continuity in governance during the transitional period.
Yoon Suk Yeol’s dramatic fall from power, less than three years into his five-year term, marks one of the most consequential political crises in South Korea’s modern democratic history.
It underscores the country’s fragile balance between executive power and constitutional safeguards—and the enduring resilience of its democratic institutions in the face of authoritarian overreach.
Share This Post