South Korean President Impeached, Setting Stage for Snap Election Amidst Turmoil

Police were present near the constitutional court in Seoul, South Korea, on April 4, 2025, as President Yoon Suk-yeol faced an impeachment ruling. The court upheld the impeachment, removing him from office due to his brief imposition of martial law. A snap presidential election was mandated within 60 days.

Yoon was impeached by the National Assembly for violating the Constitution. Following his removal, he expressed regret. Experts noted that while the impeachment might restore some stability, it might not resolve underlying issues, especially with US tariffs and internal political infighting.

Yoon became the second president in South Korea's history to be removed from office. The upcoming election was expected to intensify tensions between political parties. Yoon's impeachment marked the end of his political career, and he faced potential judicial scrutiny.

The election occurred amid external challenges, including US tariffs. The leadership vacuum had unsettled financial markets. Since Yoon's martial law declaration, South Korea's affairs faced uncertainties. The acting president focused on US relations, with a key issue being US tariffs on Korean exports. China-South Korea relations had also deteriorated.

The impeachment might temporarily ease division, but political turbulence was likely to continue. Renewed instability and polarization were possible within the next 60 days.