Key Highlights:
- South Korea’s Constitutional Court upholds President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment, formally removing him from office.
- Yoon declared martial law in December, triggering political chaos and a swift backlash from lawmakers.
- An election to replace Yoon must be held within 60 days, with opposition leader Lee Jae-myung emerging as a top contender.
- Yoon still faces an insurrection trial, a charge punishable by life imprisonment or death under South Korean law.
South Korea’s President Officially Removed from Office
In a landmark decision, South Korea’s Constitutional Court ruled to remove President Yoon Suk Yeol, marking only the second time in the country’s history that an elected leader has been ousted. The ruling follows Yoon’s controversial declaration of martial law in December, which lasted for only six hours before being overturned by lawmakers.
The decision ends months of political turmoil in one of Asia’s largest economies and a key US ally. Yoon’s removal takes immediate effect, and he must vacate the presidential residence while a new election is scheduled within 60 days.
How the Crisis Unfolded
Yoon’s downfall began on a chaotic December night, when he declared martial law, citing political gridlock and threats from “anti-state forces.” His move was met with fierce resistance from lawmakers, who stormed parliament and voted to overturn the decree.
The swift backlash led to:
- Yoon’s impeachment by parliament in December
- His arrest in January on insurrection charges (later released in March, though charges remain)
- The impeachment of South Korea’s Prime Minister and Acting President
The Constitutional Court’s ruling was unanimous, with justices condemning Yoon’s actions as a “grave betrayal of public trust.”
What Happens Next?
South Korea must now hold a new election within 60 days. One of the leading candidates is Lee Jae-myung, the opposition leader who narrowly lost to Yoon in the 2022 presidential election.
Acting President Han Duck-soo has assured the public that the transition will follow constitutional procedures, and that national security will remain stable during this period.
Yoon’s Legal Troubles Continue
Even after being removed from office, Yoon faces an insurrection trial, a charge that carries a potential life sentence or even the death penalty. South Korea has not carried out an execution in decades, but the trial could determine his future legal fate.
A Dramatic Fall from Power
Yoon’s presidency, which began in 2022, has come to an unprecedented end in just two years—making him the shortest-serving leader in South Korea’s democratic history.
Before taking office, Yoon was a star prosecutor, leading the investigation that impeached former President Park Geun-hye in 2017. Ironically, he now shares the same fate.
Once seen as a strong US ally, Yoon was even honored at the White House in 2023, where he famously sang “American Pie” for President Biden. However, his presidency quickly unraveled as political gridlock, opposition clashes, and his martial law decree led to his downfall.
South Korea now enters a critical transition period, with the upcoming election set to shape the future of its democracy and global alliances.
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