South Korea’s Constitutional Court has upheld the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol, leading to his removal from office following his imposition of martial law in December. The ruling was met with cheers from protesters who have been demanding his ouster in recent weeks. Acting Chief Justice Moon Hyungbae announced that all eight justices had voted to remove Mr. Yoon from office, citing his betrayal of the people’s trust and severe violations of the law. The ruling is immediate and cannot be appealed, with Mr. Yoon’s People Power Party accepting the decision.
The impeachment of Mr. Yoon stemmed from his declaration of martial law on December 3, which lasted only six hours before being overturned by lawmakers. The court ruled that the decree did not meet the constitutional requirement for a national crisis, and that Mr. Yoon had failed in his duties as commander in chief. Despite lifting martial law after a short period, the gravity of the situation was not lessened. The impeachment case was deemed procedurally sound, leading to a unanimous decision by the court.
Acting president Han Duck-soo will continue in his role until a new president is elected through a snap election, which must take place within 60 days from the court ruling. Political parties will select their candidates through primary elections, with Lee Jae-myung expected to lead the opposition Democratic Party. He has been a political rival of Mr. Yoon since the last presidential elections in 2022 and has been instrumental in the effort to remove the now-impeached president. The race to lead the ruling People Power Party is less clear, with potential candidates including Seoul mayor Oh Se-hoon and Daegu mayor Hong Joon-pyo.
The impeachment of President Yoon has triggered a political transition in South Korea, as the nation prepares for a new leader following the court ruling. The decision to remove Mr. Yoon from office was met with both support and opposition from the public, with protests for and against his impeachment taking place in the streets of Seoul. The upcoming snap election will give voters the opportunity to choose a new leader who will steer the country in a different direction following the tumultuous events of recent months.
The aftermath of Mr. Yoon’s impeachment has left a void in South Korea’s leadership, as the nation grapples with the implications of the court ruling. The political landscape is shifting as candidates prepare to vie for the presidency in the upcoming election. As the nation looks to the future, the focus will be on selecting a new leader who can address the challenges facing South Korea and unite the country following a period of division and uncertainty.
