Political earthquake in South Korea: Constitutional Court delivers verdict on President Yoon Suk Yeol

A historic development has taken place in South Korean politics. The Constitutional Court has removed President Yoon Suk Yeol from office, who had been at the center of criticism due to the martial law he declared on December 3, 2024. Following the decision, a new presidential election will be held in the country within 60 days.

CONSTITUTIONAL COURT DECLARES IT UNLAWFUL 

According to South Korea's official news agency Yonhap, the Constitutional Court ruled that Yoon's declaration of martial law was unconstitutional and ordered his removal from office. In its decision, the court emphasized that the conditions of a 'national crisis' required for declaring martial law had not been met. Furthermore, it was noted that Yoon's deployment of troops to parliament to suppress the will of the National Assembly violated the law.

IMPEACHMENT MOTION ACCEPTED 

This decision means that the Constitutional Court has upheld the impeachment motion accepted by the National Assembly on December 14. With the announcement of the ruling, Yoon's presidency has officially ended. Under the constitution, a new presidential election will be held in the country within 60 days.

In a statement on national television on the night of December 3, Yoon Suk Yeol had accused opposition parties of "anti-state activities" and declared martial law in the country. However, this decision was shortly rejected by the parliament. The Cabinet also opposed Yoon's decision and withdrew the martial law.

Following the fierce reaction from the opposition, the parliament approved the impeachment motion seeking Yoon's removal on December 14, and the Constitutional Court's decision was awaited following this process. Yoon had been temporarily suspended from his duties until the court process was completed.

BECAME THE FIRST PRESIDENT TO BE DETAINED 

Within the scope of the judicial investigation launched against him, Yoon was detained on January 15, becoming the first president in the country's history to be detained. As the investigation continued, he was arrested on January 19 on charges of "leading an insurrection" and "abuse of power."

The judicial process began with the indictment prepared by the prosecution on January 26. However, the Seoul Central District Court decided on March 8 that Yoon would be tried without arrest, and he was released.

HOW DOES THE IMPEACHMENT PROCESS WORK?

According to the South Korean constitution, for a president to be removed from office, an impeachment motion must be accepted by a two-thirds majority in the parliament. The motion is then submitted to the Constitutional Court. Removal from office occurs with the approval of at least 6 judges in the 9-member court.

In Yoon's case, 8 judges served on the court. The decision makes Yoon the second president in South Korean history to be removed from office by the Constitutional Court, following former President Park Geun-hye, who was removed in 2017.

News Source: 12punto