South Korea removes President Yoon Suk Yeol over martial law crisis
- The Constitutional Court unanimously upheld the impeachment of Yoon Suk Yeol, leading to his removal from office.
- Yoon's martial law declaration and subsequent political actions have sparked significant division and protests in South Korea.
- The country must now prepare for a national election to select a new president within the next two months.
In South Korea, significant political turmoil ensued after President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law on December 3, claiming it was necessary to protect the country from perceived threats. This declaration, which lasted only six hours, involved the deployment of troops to the National Assembly, which resulted in widespread protests from both supporters and opponents. On December 14, 2022, the opposition-controlled National Assembly voted to impeach Yoon, accusing him of rebellion, violating constitutional rights, and obstructing legislative activities. The Constitutional Court upheld this impeachment on April 4, 2025, affirming that Yoon's actions were unjustified under the constitution and removed him from office, requiring a national election to appoint a new president within 60 days. This unprecedented political crisis raises serious concerns about the stability of democracy in South Korea, a key U.S. ally, amid ongoing tensions with North Korea and broader international issues involving the United States.