South Korea's Constitutional Court Ousts President Yoon Suk-yeol in Historic Ruling

The announcement came directly from Moon Hyungbae, the acting chief justice of the Constitutional Court, who stated decisively that President Yoon Suk-yeol had been removed from office. This verdict followed a period of considerable political turmoil in South Korea and was delivered after the court's eight justices unanimously agreed to support an impeachment motion initiated by the National Assembly, primarily linked to Yoon's brief declaration of martial law in December.

The ruling effectively concludes Yoon's presidency, which lasted just under three years, and mandates that a new presidential election must occur within 60 days, up to June 3. Experts, including Wang Son-taek from Sogang University, noted that this confirmation of impeachment could bring a sense of stability back to the nation. Acting President Han Duck-soo, who also serves as the prime minister, reassured the public of security and foreign affairs stability, emphasizing his commitment to ensuring a fair and smooth election process amidst calls for political neutrality from government entities.

In light of this constitutional crisis, National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik highlighted the urgency for effective governance coordination to avoid political instability during the election transition. He urged all political parties to engage in constructive dialogue rather than divisive rhetoric. The court's ruling found Yoon guilty of serious constitutional violations, including the illegal declaration of martial law and the deployment of troops to the National Assembly, undermining public trust and infringing upon legal protections.

Yoon expressed his regret for not living up to public expectations through a message relayed by his legal representation, while also reflecting on the privilege of serving the nation. This impeachment marks a significant moment in South Korean history, as Yoon is now the second president to be removed through such a process, with the previous case involving Park Geun-hye. Observers noted that this historic ruling will likely reshape the political landscape ahead of the upcoming election, even as it underscores the existing challenges of polarization facing the South Korean populace.