Impeached President apologizes to the public

The Constitutional Court of South Korea ruled that the martial law declared by President Yoon Suk Yeol on December 3, 2024, was unconstitutional and decided to remove him from office.

According to the Yonhap news agency, the court emphasized that the martial law declared by Yoon did not meet the constitutional criteria for a "national crisis." Furthermore, it was noted that Yoon's deployment of troops to the National Assembly to block the parliament's decision violated the law.

With this decision, the Constitutional Court accepted the impeachment motion previously submitted by the National Assembly. Following Yoon's removal from office, South Korea will hold an election within 60 days to choose a new president.

MARTIAL LAW DECISION TURNED THE COUNTRY UPSIDE DOWN

Yoon Suk Yeol had declared martial law in a televised statement on the night of December 3, 2024, accusing the opposition of engaging in 'anti-state activities.' However, this decision was rejected by a vote in parliament and was subsequently withdrawn with the approval of the Cabinet.

The National Assembly had accepted the impeachment motion regarding Yoon's removal from office on December 14, 2024. Yoon was then temporarily suspended from his duties pending the Constitutional Court's decision.

TAKEN INTO CUSTODY

As part of the ongoing judicial investigation into the declaration of martial law, Yoon was taken into custody on January 15, 2025. As a result of this development, he became the first president in the country's history to be detained in this manner. On January 19, 2025, Yoon was arrested on charges of 'leading an insurrection' and 'abuse of power,' and the prosecution prepared an indictment against him on January 26.

The Seoul Central District Court lifted Yoon's detention and ruled that his trial should continue without him being in custody. Yoon was released on March 8, 2025.

News Source: 12punto