South Korea president was officially impeached as the Constitutional Court unanimously removed Yoon Suk Yeol from office for declaring martial law.
South Korea President Officially Impeached in Unprecedented Ruling Seoul, In a dramatic and historic decision, the Constitutional Court of South Korea has officially impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol, marking the country’s second presidential removal in modern history.
The court ruled unanimously to oust Yoon over his controversial declaration of martial law, which included deploying armed troops to block lawmakers inside parliament in December 2024. The decision took effect immediately and mandated new presidential elections within 60 days.
Why South Korea’s President Was Officially Impeached.
Presiding over the court, acting chief justice Moon Hyung-bae delivered the harsh verdict, citing Yoon’s “serious violation of the Constitution” and betrayal of democratic principles.
“Given the serious negative impact and far-reaching consequences of the respondent’s constitutional violations… we dismiss respondent President Yoon Suk Yeol,” Moon declared.
The court said Yoon’s use of military force to prevent a parliamentary vote violated the political neutrality of the armed forces and the rule of law.
Reactions After South Korea President Officially Impeached
Crowds erupted outside the courthouse, where thousands of anti-Yoon protesters had gathered to witness the verdict via live broadcast. Some were seen cheering, crying, and hugging one another in emotional scenes.
“We cried tears and shouted that we, the citizens, had won,” said Kim Min-ji, 25, among the protesters.
In contrast, Yoon’s supporters responded with rage, shouting threats and demanding revenge against the judges.
Police deployed riot teams and increased security measures around the court and presidential residence.
Yoon Faces Criminal Charges After Impeachment Now officially impeached
Yoon also faces criminal proceedings on insurrection charges stemming from his attempt to subvert civilian rule. His brief apology acknowledged his failure to meet public expectations but stopped short of admitting wrongdoing.
Yoon defended his actions as an effort to root out “anti-state forces,” but the court condemned his moves as unconstitutional and politically motivated.
Political Fallout
What Happens After South Korea President Officially Impeached
The presidency has now temporarily transferred to Acting President Han Duck-soo until fresh elections are held.
The National Election Commission is expected to announce an election date soon. Speaker of the National Assembly Woo Won-shik emphasized that the ruling reaffirms South Korea’s democratic values:
“We have reaffirmed that no one in the Republic of Korea can be above the law.”
Impeachment Impact on Markets and National Morale
The Korean won jumped against the US dollar, and the KOSPI index rose 0.35%. Analysts say the ruling restored some investor confidence after months of political instability.
The country has endured leadership limbo amid multiple national crises — including an aviation disaster, deadly wildfires, and recent economic strain from new U.S. tariffs under President Trump’s trade plan.
