Seoul, South Korea
CNN
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South Korea’s Highest Court Removes President Yoon Suk Yeol from Office
South Korea’s top court has officially dismissed President Yoon Suk Yeol from his position, concluding months of legal disputes and uncertainty that followed his brief martial law declaration in December. This situation has thrown the nation into a state of political chaos.
The court’s ruling on Friday confirmed Yoon’s removal from the presidency after parliament voted to impeach him in December. His dismissal is immediate, requiring him to vacate the presidential residence, and will prompt an election to select a successor.
The ongoing crisis has rendered South Korea—a significant global economic player and a crucial ally of the United States—directionless during a critical period in international relations, especially with U.S. President Donald Trump’s “America First” policy disrupting long-standing foreign policy practices.
In a unanimous decision, the Constitutional Court’s eight justices upheld Yoon’s impeachment, criticizing the chaotic events during the martial law declaration when he sent troops to parliament, attempting to force lawmakers opposed to his decree out of the building.
The court emphasized that Yoon’s actions constituted a severe breach of public trust, noting that the martial law declaration was unconstitutional as there was no significant national crisis at the time, and his justification was unacceptable.
Following his ousting, Yoon expressed gratitude to his supporters, mentioning it was an honor to serve and lamenting his inability to meet their expectations. Meanwhile, celebrations erupted among his critics, while his supporters gathered somberly outside his residence.
