South Korea’s Constitutional Court removed impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol, who had declared martial law, plunging the country into turmoil. The opposition-controlled National Assembly had voted to impeach Yoon, leading to the need for a national election within two months to find a new president. Lee Jae-myung, leader of the main liberal opposition Democratic Party, is the early favorite to become the next president. Yoon’s declaration of martial law on December 3 was quickly voted down by the legislature after lasting only six hours.
After Yoon’s declaration of martial law, the country faced political turmoil with millions of people taking to the streets to denounce or support him. The military and police officers sent to the National Assembly by Yoon later testified that he ordered them to drag out lawmakers to prevent a vote on his decree. The National Assembly ultimately impeached Yoon on December 14, accusing him of violating the constitution by suppressing assembly activities, attempting to detain politicians, and undermining peace in the country. The court upheld Yoon’s impeachment, stating that his martial law decree violated the constitution and other laws.
Yoon did not immediately respond to the verdict, but his ruling People Power Party stated that they would accept the decision. The court’s acting chief, Moon Hyung-bae, declared the verdict on national television, emphasizing the grave negative impact on constitutional order caused by Yoon’s actions. Despite the impeachment and removal of Yoon from office, the country must now prepare for a national election to select a new president. The removal of Yoon from office was deemed necessary to uphold the constitution and maintain national order.
The turmoil caused by Yoon’s declaration of martial law and subsequent impeachment reflects the challenging political climate in South Korea. The court’s decision to remove Yoon from office underscores the importance of upholding the constitution and ensuring that political leaders adhere to the law. As the country prepares for a new election, the favorite candidate, Lee Jae-myung, will likely face a challenging path to restoring stability and order in South Korea. The impeachment of Yoon serves as a reminder of the fragility of democracy and the importance of accountability for political leaders.
