South Korea’s Yoon removed from office after martial law fallout

South Korea has entered a new chapter in its political history. On April 3, 2025, the Constitutional Court upheld the impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol.

This ruling officially ends Yoon’s presidency. His controversial decision to impose martial law last year led to this outcome.

The court found that Yoon’s actions threatened democratic governance. His declaration of martial law in December 2024 was seen as a “grave abuse of power.” It was also viewed as a betrayal of public trust.

Yoon ordered the military to intervene in parliament. He reportedly tried to detain several opposition lawmakers. The martial law declaration lasted only six hours before being rescinded due to national outrage and international condemnation.

Despite the backlash, impeachment proceedings were swiftly initiated by the National Assembly. These proceedings have now been upheld by the court.

Public sentiment has been divided on this issue. However, a recent poll showed over 60% of South Koreans supported Yoon’s removal. In Seoul and other major cities, demonstrators gathered both for and against the impeachment before the court's verdict.

With President Yoon out of office, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo will serve as acting president. Fresh elections are expected within the next 60 days.

Attention is now on opposition leader Lee Jae-myung, who is likely to lead the presidential race despite facing legal challenges.

This is only the second time in South Korea’s democratic history that a sitting president has been impeached. The first instance was Park Geun-hye in 2017.