South Korea removes President Yoon Suk Yeol after martial law scandal

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South Korea’s Constitutional Court has removed President Yoon Suk Yeol from office, ending months of political chaos following his brief declaration of martial law in December.

The ruling finalizes his impeachment, immediately stripping him of power and triggering an election to replace him. The decision marks a stunning fall for Yoon, a former prosecutor-turned-president who once played a key role in the ousting of a previous leader, only to now suffer the same fate.

The court’s eight justices unanimously upheld Yoon’s impeachment, condemning his use of the military to suppress lawmakers and override democratic institutions. Acting Chief Justice Moon Hyung-bae delivered a scathing rebuke, calling Yoon’s actions a “grave betrayal of the people’s trust” and ruling that his martial law decree was unconstitutional, as there was no national crisis to justify it. “The president had violated the formal process of declaring martial law, infringed on lawmakers’ rights, and violated his duty as head of the armed forces,” Moon stated.

Yoon’s shocking decision to send troops to parliament and order soldiers to “drag out” lawmakers who resisted had sparked mass protests and international condemnation. His opponents feared that, had he been reinstated, he might have attempted to seize power again. In response to the court’s ruling, they erupted in celebrations outside the courthouse, waving flags and dancing in the streets. Meanwhile, Yoon’s supporters gathered outside the presidential residence in a more subdued atmosphere, with his party vowing to respect the decision and focus on serving the people.

The crisis began in December when Yoon made a surprise late-night address on television, declaring martial law due to what he called political deadlock and threats from “anti-state forces” aligned with North Korea. The announcement triggered chaos, with angry protesters rushing to parliament in the middle of the night. Lawmakers fought their way past troops to convene an emergency session, jumping over fences and forcing their way into the chamber. By midnight, they had overturned Yoon’s decree, and by dawn, the president had no choice but to revoke martial law. The crisis lasted only six hours, but its impact was immediate: within days, parliament impeached both Yoon and his prime minister.

In a separate case, Yoon was arrested in January on charges of leading an insurrection, though a court later canceled his arrest warrant without dropping the charges. If convicted, he faces a potential life sentence or even the death penalty—though South Korea has not carried out an execution in decades.

His downfall comes as South Korea struggles with economic challenges and shifting global alliances. The nation, a key U.S. ally, faces uncertainty amid former President Donald Trump’s “America First” policies, which have upended traditional diplomatic and trade relationships. Yoon had once been a favorite in Washington, even earning praise from President Joe Biden. During a 2023 state dinner at the White House, he famously sang “American Pie” to a delighted audience, a moment meant to showcase the strength of U.S.-South Korea relations. However, back home, he faced bitter opposition, with his rivals using their legislative majority to block his policies and impeach key officials.

Under South Korean law, a new presidential election must take place within 60 days. A leading candidate to succeed Yoon is opposition leader Lee Jae-myung, who narrowly lost to him in 2022. Lee thanked the people for “protecting the democratic Republic of Korea” and vowed to restore political stability and economic confidence. Acting President Han Duck-soo, who assumed office after Yoon’s impeachment, pledged to ensure a smooth transition and uphold the will of the people.

Before entering politics, Yoon was a high-profile prosecutor known for his role in the impeachment and imprisonment of former President Park Geun-hye in 2017. Now, he has become only the second South Korean president to be ousted by the Constitutional Court—cementing his place in history as the nation’s shortest-serving elected leader.