South Korea's top court upholds President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment, ousts him over martial law attempt

South Korea’s suspended president, Yoon Suk Yeol, was officially removed from office on Friday after the constitutional court upheld the parliament’s decision to impeach him over his controversial declaration of martial law in December 2024.

Yoon Suk Yeol's ouster comes after weeks of deliberation and growing concerns about South Korea's state of democracy.

On Friday, April 4, the court finally ruled to revoke Yoon’s presidential authority, stated multiple reports.

Who will be South Korea's president?

The ruling effectively means that South Korea's acting, President Han Duck-soo, will continue to lead the country until a new president is elected by South Koreans within the next 60 days, reported The Guardian.

Martial law in South Korea

On December 3, 2024, President Yoon Suk Yeol declared emergency martial law in South Korea and added that the measure was essential to protect the country from “North Korea's communist forces” amid ongoing parliamentary disputes over a budget bill.

In a televised address, Yoon explained to the nation, “To safeguard a liberal South Korea from the threats posed by North Korea's communist forces and to eliminate anti-state elements... I hereby declare emergency martial law," reported AFP.

14,000 police officers deployed, supporters hold rallies

Over the last few days, South Korea witnessed large rallies by President Yoon Suk Yeol's opponents and supporters. Reportedly, around 14,000 police officers had been deployed in the capital city, Seoul, in anticipation of possible violence, irrespective of the court's ruling.

Was the impeachment process illegal?

According to The Guardian, Yoon Suk Yeol's supporters and lawyers believe the impeachment proceedings were illegal and that President Yoon should be immediately returned to office to lead Asia’s fourth-biggest economy.

A Gallup Korea poll released last week revealed that 60 per cent of South Koreans support Yoon's permanent removal from office. Critics have accused the former prosecutor of misusing his presidential authority in an effort to undermine democratic institutions and drag the country back toward its authoritarian past.