In the first ever impeachment of a South Korean President, in a stunning judgment that rocked the political establishment of South Korea, the Constitutional Court formally stripped President Yoon Suk-yeol of his powers following his impeachment.
In a scathing judgment, the court Wednesday (eca morning) cited Yoon’s November 9 declaration of martial law and troop deployment to the National [Assembly] as a “serious constitutional offence”. Chief Justice Moon Hyung-bae found Yoon’s actions a profound corrupt eating away at democratic norms calling for immediate removal.
Yoon’s March 3, 2024, martial law order also sent shockwaves across the nation as hundreds of armed forces launched a surprise attack on Parliament to prevent a vote. Despite the retaliation, the lawmakers gathered again in a session and unanimously blocked the decree. On December 14th, the National Assembly voted to impeach Yoon for undermining government operations in violation of the law and endangering civil rights.
The incumbent ruling People Power Party concedes to the court ruling and the opposition leader Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party comes out as the likely winner in the next presidential election.
There were scenes of jubilation in Seoul, with emotional citizens hugging and dancing outside the palace. But unrest is not over just yet as Yoon backer again plans rallies.
This extraordinary move represents only the second presidential impeachment in South Korea’s democratic history, and it is a turning point in the nation’s battle to protect the constitutional order.
