SEOUL – South Korea’s Constitutional Court made history Friday, April 4, 2025, unanimously upholding the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol, stripping him from office over his short-lived martial law declaration last December. The 8-0 decision makes Yoon the second South Korean leader ever removed this way, ending his presidency less than three years in. Acting President Han Duck-soo stays in charge for now, with a snap election set within 60 days. A nation already rocked by protests and political fractures is now bracing for the next wave.
The court session, broadcast live from Seoul’s Anguk district, was tense but swift. Chief Justice Jeong Hyeong-sik read the ruling: Yoon’s December 3 martial law decree—his six-hour bid to suspend democracy—violated the constitution and his duty to protect it. “The president’s actions posed a grave threat to the democratic order,” Jeong said. All eight justices agreed—no dissent, no delay—sealing Yoon’s fate at 11:22 AM KST.
Yoon wasn’t present. He’s been holed up at his residence since a Seoul court freed him from jail March 8 over a procedural snag in his insurrection case. His legal team called the impeachment a “political hit job,” claiming martial law was a “warning shot” against a rogue parliament. The court didn’t buy it—evidence showed Yoon deployed troops to the National Assembly, banned political activity, and censored media without lawful grounds.
Yoon, a former prosecutor turned conservative hardliner, shocked the country and its allies on December 3, when he declared martial law at 10:30 PM. In a televised address, he accused the opposition-led National Assembly of acting as “North Korea sympathizers” obstructing his agenda—including budget reforms and investigations into First Lady Kim Keon-hee. He appointed Army General Park An-su to enforce the order, sent soldiers to parliament, and suspended all political activity.
Lawmakers stormed the National Assembly, voted 190-0 to kill the order, and forced Yoon to back down by dawn. But the damage was done—trust cratered, mass protests erupted, and his presidency never recovered.
Following Yoon’s suspension, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo took over as acting president. But the Democratic Party (DPK) impeached him on December 27, citing his refusal to appoint three Constitutional Court justices. Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok temporarily stepped in and appointed two justices, holding power until Han was reinstated by the court on March 24. Now back at the helm, Han—a veteran diplomat—is trying to steady the ship amid economic jitters and geopolitical instability.
Meanwhile, Yoon’s legal problems deepened. Indicted for rebellion on January 26—a charge that can carry life imprisonment or the death penalty—he was arrested January 15 but released on March 8. His trial continues, even as supporters rally behind him, comparing him to Donald Trump and calling the charges a “witch hunt.”
The fallout is massive. The Korean won is down 8% since December. Business confidence has dropped. Major exporters like Samsung and Hyundai now face added uncertainty amid Trump’s new tariffs on autos and Chinese goods. Consumer costs are rising too—cars, groceries, and imported tech all face price bumps as global trade tension heats up.
Washington’s watching closely. The Biden administration had leaned on Yoon to help contain North Korea and counter China’s influence. His fall leaves a hawkish vacuum in the region. Japan is uneasy; North Korea is gloating. Meanwhile, Seoul remains tense—Friday saw 14,000 police deployed, schools closed, and subway lines suspended near the court as protesters filled the streets. Yoon loyalists clashed with opposition crowds, some hunger-striking, others chanting “Jail him.”
Yoon’s presidency ends in disgrace. Elected in 2022 by less than a 1% margin, he’s now the shortest-serving president in modern Korean history. The DPK’s Lee Jae-myung—his 2022 rival—is now the frontrunner for the upcoming election. Early polls give him a 10-point lead over Han Dong-hoon, the PPP’s rising star.
Han Duck-soo remains acting president. With decades of public service under five administrations, he’s a stabilizing figure—but he lacks a popular mandate. The court, meanwhile, has earned renewed respect for its unanimous decision, showing judicial independence under immense pressure.
South Korea must hold a new election within 60 days—by June 3. Lee Jae-myung is favored, but the PPP may try to rally around Han Dong-hoon. Whoever wins gets Yoon’s remaining term: two years of managing domestic scars and international strain.
Yoon’s rebellion trial will proceed, and while a conviction for insurrection remains uncertain, the political damage is already complete. The court, now down two soon-to-expire justices, moved quickly to avoid deadlock. The Constitutional process held, but the country’s divisions remain raw.
Friday’s ruling marks the end of a dangerous experiment in executive overreach. South Korea’s democracy held firm, but it’s left battered. Political wounds are deep, the economy’s wobbly, and foreign allies are nervous. Han Duck-soo now leads a country searching for stability, as voters prepare to pick a new president and shape the next chapter.