Constitutional Court Removes Yoon Suk Yeol from Presidential Office
In a significant ruling, South Korea's Constitutional Court has removed President Yoon Suk Yeol from office, unanimously affirming a parliamentary motion for impeachment related to his declaration of martial law on December 3. This landmark decision marks Yoon as the second president in the nation's history to be ousted through impeachment, following Park Geun-hye's removal in 2017.
The judgment was announced amid heightened security at the court in Seoul, where both supporters and opponents of Yoon awaited the outcome. With the court's decision, South Korea is now mandated to hold a presidential election within a two-month window, leading many to speculate that the voting will occur on June 3, 2025. Yoon's term was initially set to conclude in May 2027.
The Constitutional Court comprises eight judges, one of whom is currently vacant. To uphold the impeachment motion, the support of at least six judges was necessary. Acting Chief Justice Moon Hyung Bae stated that Yoon's martial law declaration did not comply with the essential criteria for an emergency decree, emphasizing that the circumstances within the parliament did not warrant such an exercise of power.
In defense of his actions, Yoon had argued that his brief implementation of martial law was justified due to the opposition Democratic Party's obstruction of governmental functions through repeated impeachment motions against his officials. However, the court found his reasoning insufficient to meet constitutional standards.
In reaction to the ruling, Prime Minister Han Duck Soo, who is temporarily assuming presidential duties, acknowledged the seriousness of the court's decision. He assured the public that national security would be maintained during this transition period and expressed his commitment to ensuring a seamless transition to a new government.
Previously, Yoon's powers had been suspended following the National Assembly's approval of the impeachment motion in mid-December, which claimed that he had declared martial law without adequate justification, such as an immediate threat of war or a comparable crisis. The court's proceedings included eleven hearings since January, with Yoon appearing on several occasions.
This ruling has profound implications for South Korea's political landscape, as it not only ends Yoon's presidency but also sets a precedent on the limits of executive power in times of political turmoil.
