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South Korea’s Constitutional Court Removes President Yoon Suk-yeol Over Martial Law Declaration

Hot Digital Online April 4, 2025

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Seoul, April 7, 2025 – South Korea’s Constitutional Court has unanimously voted to remove President Yoon Suk-yeol from office, citing unconstitutional actions following his declaration of martial law in December 2024.

Court’s Verdict

Reading the ruling on Friday morning, acting Chief Justice Moon Hyung-bae rejected Yoon’s justifications for military intervention and criticized his abuse of power.

🔹 Deploying military and police forces against democratic institutions.
🔹 Infringing upon the fundamental rights of South Korean citizens.
🔹 Overstepping constitutional authority to dissolve the National Assembly’s power.

“The defendant mobilized military and police forces to dismantle the authority of constitutional institutions and infringed upon the fundamental rights of the people,” Justice Moon stated.

Background of the Crisis

December 3, 2024 – President Yoon declared martial law, claiming anti-State and North Korean forces had infiltrated the government.
Military and police were ordered to shut down the National Assembly, with reports indicating Yoon sought to detain rival politicians and block a vote against his rule.
December 14, 2024 – South Korea’s National Assembly voted to impeach Yoon, requiring approval from the Constitutional Court for formal removal.

What Happens Next?

✅ Acting President Han Duck-soo will oversee the government.
✅ South Korea must hold a new presidential election within 60 days.
✅ The ruling has deepened political divisions, with cheers from critics and protests from Yoon’s supporters.

This marks the second time in South Korea’s history that a president has been removed from office through impeachment, following Park Geun-hye in 2017.