Yoon Suk Yeol impeachment ruling as it happened

Korea Herald

04-04-2025

South Korea's Constitutional Court on Friday removed President Yoon Suk Yeol from office in a historic ruling.
5:00 p.m.
The ousted former President Yoon Suk Yeol met with People Power Party leaders Friday and told them he hopes the party wins the presidential election to choose his successor.
People Power Party leaders Reps. Kwon Young-se and Kweon Seong-dong met with Yoon at his residence in Yongsan, central Seoul, late Friday, hours after the Constitutional Court upheld Yoon's impeachment, thereby removing him from office.
Yoon tells ruling party leaders: 'Win the next election'
16:46 p.m
In an 8-0 ruling, the Constitutional Court on Friday found that impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol had committed "grave violations" by imposing martial law on Dec. 3, a standard that had determined former presidents' fate in previous impeachment cases.
The ruling stated that Yoon's abuse of power in declaring martial law and other actions 'constitute serious violations of the principles of democratic governance and the rule of law.'
The 114-page verdict showed that Yoon's decision to ignore the national governance structure as enshrined in the Constitution -- by deploying armed forces to the National Assembly and the election commission by imposing martial law -- threatened the stability of the democratic republic.
16:42 p.m
South Korea's Constitutional Court on Friday confirmed President Yoon Suk Yeol's removal from office. This marks the second time in the nation's history that a sitting president has been removed in the middle of his term by impeachment.
Below are reactions from prominent political leaders and other notable individuals to the historic moment.
Rep. Lee Jae-myung, leader, main opposition Democratic Party of Korea
Lee, the runner-up to Yoon in the 2022 presidential election, is now the leading contender for the next presidency.
"South Korea is the only country in the world where unarmed citizens have peacefully brought down a lawless regime. The world will take a fresh look at Korea and come to admire the strength of K-democracy. (Yoon's removal) marks the true beginning of a new Republic of Korea."
16:41 p.m
Below is an unofficial translation of the summary released by the Constitutional Court of Korea detailing its ruling Friday that upheld Yoon Suk Yeol's parliamentary impeachment, confirming his immediate removal as president. -- Ed.
(Verdict read out by acting Chief Justice Moon Hyung-bae)
I will begin announcing the verdict on the 2024 impeachment case of President Yoon Suk Yeol.
First, we will examine the conditions for legal validity.
1. We will look at whether the declaration of martial law in this case is subject to judicial review.
Considering the purpose of an impeachment trial, which is to uphold the constitutional order against violations by high-ranking officials, the declaration of martial law, in this case, can be reviewed for its constitutionality and legality, even if it involves a highly political decision.
Nation gains closure with Constitutional Court ruling to remove Yoon
16:15 p.m
The Constitutional Court of Korea voted unanimously to remove President Yoon Suk Yeol from office, delivering a definitive verdict on Friday that punctuated months of political turmoil triggered by his short-lived martial law declaration on Dec. 3, 2024.
As interim Chief Justice Moon Hyung-bae began reading out the 8-0 decision at 11 a.m., tens of thousands of South Koreans fell silent across Seoul's divided protest sites. Smartphones shot upward to capture the moment as loudspeakers broadcast the verdict through streets where police buses formed barricades between opposing crowds.
"President Yoon Suk Yeol violated his duty as the nation's commander-in-chief when he sent troops to the National Assembly in December," Justice Moon said, his voice echoing across the capital. The martial law declaration had "broadly violated the citizens' rights and damaged the republic's order," he clarified.
Then came the pronouncement that sealed the president's fate: "In a unanimous vote, the court upholds the National Assembly's motion to impeach the president."
16:15 p.m
South Korea's historic decision to remove President Yoon Suk Yeol from office has sparked an outpouring of reactions from foreign residents and international observers, many of whom praised the Constitutional Court's unanimous 8–0 ruling as a powerful demonstration of democratic accountability.
'I'm happy about the verdict,' said Svenja, a German national who has lived in Seoul for six months. Speaking to The Korea Herald outside the War Memorial of Korea in Yongsan, Seoul, where hundreds watched the decision live on a large screen, she added, 'It feels like democracy really works here.'
Foreign residents, global watchers hail S. Korea's 'democracy in action'
https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10458343
16:14 p.m
Leaders representing major religions in South Korea called for unity behind a court ruling that removed President Yoon Suk Yeol from office for his ill-fated martial law declaration on Dec. 3.
The Catholic Bishops' Conference of Korea said politicians should work together to restore people's trust, respecting the Constitutional Court of Korea's decision Friday.
'Politicians should remember serving their people and listen to each other to cultivate better politics,' the CBCK said in a statement.
Some law experts praise Yoon Suk Yeol impeachment ruling
16:03 p.m
In the wake of the Constitutional Court's decision to remove President Yoon Suk Yeol from office, some legal scholars and practitioners on social media have lauded the verdict read by Chief Justice Moon Hyung-bae.
Professor Han In-sup of Seoul National University's School of Law said on Facebook, 'Every detail was addressed with precision.'
Han added that he respects the justices for their dedication.
Attorney Lim Jae-sung, a member of Lawyers for a Democratic Society, echoed that sentiment, calling the decision 'well-reasoned.'
Police to continue protecting judges after impeachment ruling
15:53 p.m
Until they ultimately upheld former President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment Friday, South Korea's Constitutional Court justices faced speculation that they might vote it down.
As the Constitutional Court justices are appointed equally by the president, the National Assembly and the chief justice of the Supreme Court, they are often seen as reflecting their appointing authority's political leanings.
However, on Friday, the court reached a unanimous decision to remove Yoon from office, citing the need to "uphold the Constitution."
15:53 p.m
All senior officials at the presidential office tendered their resignations on Friday to acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo.
According to the presidential office, a total of 15 individuals — including chiefs of staff, special advisers, senior secretaries and the deputy director of the National Security Office who served under former President Yoon Suk Yeol — collectively submitted their resignations to acting President Han in the afternoon.
'Finally, relief': Koreans embrace Yoon impeachment ruling
14:48 p.m
South Koreans rejoiced as the Constitutional Court upheld the National Assembly's impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol on Friday — a ruling delivered 122 days after his botched declaration of martial law.
Many expressed relief at the end of political uncertainty and voiced hopes for a recovery in the sluggish domestic economy. However, some offered a grim outlook of a prolonged recession exacerbated by US President Donald Trump's imposition of tariffs on all imports from Korea.
Kim Yi-kang, a 40-something tech worker in the city of Sejong, said he felt a great sense of relief after watching the ruling via a YouTube link earlier in the day.
'With political uncertainty finally behind us, I believe it's vital to focus our national efforts on addressing major challenges such as US trade policies and the economic downturn,' he said.
14:43 p.m
The presidential office fell into stunned silence on Friday as the Constitutional Court ruled unanimously to remove President Yoon Suk Yeol from office, marking the second such decision in South Korean history.
The ruling, delivered at 11:22 a.m. by acting Chief Justice Moon Hyung-bae, triggered visible shock and audible sighs throughout the presidential compound, according to local news outlets.
By 11:43 a.m., just 21 minutes after the ruling, the office had quietly lowered the presidential emblem — a dark blue presidential flag embroidered with two phoenixes and Korea's national flower — that had flown over the Yongsan compound since Yoon's inauguration on May 10, 2022.
The flag's removal symbolized the formal end of Yoon's presidency after 1,061 days in office.
14:43 p.m
Former President Yoon Suk Yeol issued his first official message shortly after the Constitutional Court unanimously ruled to remove him from office Friday, bringing an end to his controversial presidency and the monthslong political crisis sparked by his declaration of martial law last December.
In a brief and solemn statement addressed to the public, Yoon expressed both gratitude and regret.
"It was a great honor to serve the Republic of Korea," Yoon said.
"I am deeply thankful to those who supported and believed in me, despite my shortcomings. I sincerely apologize for failing to meet your expectations. I will always pray for the Republic of Korea, which I love, and for its people."
14:12 p.m
A far-right activist and pastor, the Rev. Jeon Kwang-hoon on Friday voiced his rejection of the Constitutional Court's decision to remove President Yoon Suk Yeol from office, urging sympathizers to "gather 30 million at Gwanghwamun Square" on Saturday.
The controversial pastor made the comments at a demonstration in front of the official presidential office and residence in Hannam-dong, Seoul.
Jeon claimed that the people's right to resist supersedes the court's verdict, accusing the justices of "committing a crime" against Yoon, who he says has over 50 percent approval from the public.
13:47 p.m
Ex-President Yoon Suk Yeol has been removed from power and lost the rights and privileges previously bestowed upon him as South Korea's president, but he will still be subject to protection provided by the Presidential Security Service as a former leader.
The Presidential Security Act states in the Article 4-3 that a president and his or her spouse shall be protected by the presidential bodyguards for 10 years after their term is concluded. If the president steps down from office before the end of their term -- such as via death or removal as in Yoon's case -- the protection period is shortened to five years.
S. Korea turns page on 3rd presidential impeachment, but deep division remains
13:27 p.m.
In a dramatic and polarizing moment in Korea's democracy, President Yoon Suk-yeol was officially dismissed from office Friday, just eight years after former President Park Geun-hye was ousted in 2017.
Political observers expect the most immediate street-level clashes between impeachment supporters and opponents to ease with an early presidential election now just two months away at the latest, but warn that the country's deep political and social divisions are far from resolved — and could worsen.
12:50 p.m.
The People Power Party on Friday said it would accept President Yoon Suk Yeol's removal from office after the Constitutional Court ruled to uphold the his impeachment.
Rep. Kwon Young-se, the People Power Party leader, said the party "humbly accepts" the Constitutional Court's decision, adding, "We sincerely apologize to the people."
PPP accepts, DP hails Yoon Suk Yeol's removal
12:38 p.m.
Acting President Han Duck-soo said the government would respect the Constitutional Court's ruling to uphold former President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment, stressing the need to overcome political division.
Shortly after the ruling was delivered, Han said in a televised address that he would work to manage the presidential election to establish a new administration. By law, South Korea must hold a presidential election within 60 days if a president is removed by the Constitutional Court or in the event of death.
"Today, the Constitutional Court confirmed its verdict over the president's impeachment case," Han said. "I feel deeply sorry for an unfortunate situation in which a sitting head of state has been impeached for the second time in constitutional history."
Yoon Suk Yeol's lawyer condemns impeachment ruling as 'politically motivated'
12:21 p.m.
Yoon Kab-keun, the legal representative of ousted President Yoon Suk Yeol, denounced the Constitutional Court's unanimous decision to uphold Yoon's impeachment as 'unacceptable' and 'deeply political,' voicing strong discontent with both the legal reasoning and the process leading up to the historic ruling.
12:17 p.m.
Acting President Han Duck-soo vowed Friday to ensure stability in national security and diplomacy following the Constitutional Court's decision to remove President Yoon Suk Yeol.
Constitutional Court upholds impeachment of Yoon Suk Yeol
11:22 a.m.
Constitutional Court on Friday reached 8-0 unanimous decision to uphold the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol at 11:22 a.m.
Acting court chief Moon Hyung-bae said that Yoon's Dec. 3 declaration of martial law did not meet the legal requirements for a national crisis, nor did it correspond with the purpose of martial law stipulated in the Constitution.
The verdict took effect immediately, meaning an early election for the next leader of South Korea must take place within the next 60 days, June 3 at the latest.
Yoon became the second president in the country's history to be ousted from the presidency, after Park Geun-hye in 2017. He is accused of insurrection and power abuse, regarding his orders during the six-hour martial law on Dec. 3-4.
His impeachment motion was passed by the opposition-controlled National Assembly in December.
Court says Yoon's declaration of martial law did not meet legal requirement of national crisis
11:10 a.m.
The Constitutional Court said Friday that President Yoon Suk Yeol's Dec. 3 martial law decarlation cannot be justified by the political situation at the time. It added that using "martial law as warning,' which Yoon claimed as the reason for his declaration, does not correspond to the purpose of martial law.
Legal representatives of Yoon, parliament arrive at Constitutional Court
10:30 a.m.
Legal representatives of suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol and the National Assembly, the opposing sides in Yoon's impeachment trial, arrived at the Constitutional Court in central Seoul on Friday morning. Yoon was to watch the ruling from the presidential residence in Hannam-dong, Seoul, as he said on Thursday.
The eight justices currently on the court's bench arrived between 6:50 a.m. and 8:20 a.m., and held a final review of the case from 9:30 a.m.
Morning scene as South Korea awaits Yoon verdict
10 a.m.
Protestors across Seoul as well as authorities dispatched to prevent any potential violence were awaiting the impeachment verdict on suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol on Friday morning, with the Constitutional Court slated to deliver its verdict at 11 a.m.
Impeachment ruling day finally arrives
6 a.m.
Exactly 122 days after the surreal night of martial law on Dec. 3, South Koreans will finally learn today whether Yoon Suk Yeol will be removed or continue to serve as the country's president.
At 11 a.m. in a ruling to be broadcast live on TV, the Constitutional Court will deliver its decision on whether it will uphold Yoon's impeachment. Yoon's legal team confirmed Thursday that he will not attend the ruling.
Yoon has been suspended from duty since Dec. 14, when the National Assembly voted to impeach him over his abrupt declaration of martial law the night of Dec. 3.
If at least six out of the court's current eight justices vote to uphold the impeachment, Yoon will be removed from office. In any other case, he will be reinstated as president immediately.