Court confirms sacking of South Korean president who declared martial law
Now that President Yoon Suk Yeol has been removed, South Korea must hold a national election within two months to find a new leader.
Friday 4 April 2025 05:14, UK
South Korea's constitutional court has confirmed the dismissal of President聽Yoon Suk Yeol, who was impeached in December after declaring martial law.
His decision to send troops onto the streets led to the country's worst political crisis in decades.
The court ruled to uphold the impeachment saying the conservative leader "violated his duty as commander-in-chief by mobilising troops" when he declared martial law.
The president was also said to have taken actions "beyond the powers provided in the constitution".
Supporters and opponents of the president gathered in their thousands in central Seoul as they awaited the ruling, with his critics reacting joyfully to the court's verdict once it came through in the early hours of Friday.
Explainer: Who is the Yoon Suk Yeol?
Analysis: South Korea's reputation rocked by president's dismissal
The 64-year-old shocked MPs, the public and international allies in early December when he declared martial law, meaning all existing laws regarding civilians were suspended in place of military law.
After suddenly declaring martial law, Mr Yoon sent hundreds of soldiers and police officers to the National Assembly.
He has argued that he sought to maintain order, but some senior military and police officers sent there have told hearings and investigators that Mr Yoon ordered them to drag out politicians to prevent an assembly vote on his decree.
The state of emergency after Mr Yoon declared martial law only lasted about six hours as parliament eventually voted to block the decree.
His presidential powers were suspended when the opposition-dominated assembly voted to impeach him on 14 December, accusing him of rebellion.
Mr Yoon maintained that imposing martial law was needed to defend the country from nuclear-armed North Korea and pro-North anti-state forces, and protect its free constitutional order, although he cited no specific threats.
We saw at least one grown man openly sobbing
As Mr Yoon鈥檚 impeachment ruling began a nervous hush fell across the thousands who had gathered to watch it.
People literally clung to each other in anxious anticipation.
When the verdict came, screaming erupted. South Koreans often sit in orderly groups when they protest.
Not now. People literally leapt to their feet, jumped around and sang traditional protest songs.
But it wasn鈥檛 just a moment of celebration, it was a moment of emotion too. We saw at least one grown man openly sobbing.
There鈥檚 a sense people feel they鈥檝e been pulled back from a precipice, that if Mr Yoon had remained in power the consequences could have been far broader than just who holds the presidency.
At least one person we spoke to invoked Korea's years of military dictatorship, many genuinely believe he鈥檇 have attempted to reinstate martial law.
That past weighs heavy here despite this country鈥檚 remarkable advances. The most palpable emotion was relief.
The unanimous verdict to uphold parliament's impeachment and remove Mr Yoon from office required the support of at least six of the court's eight justices.
In January, Mr Yoon was separately arrested and indicted by prosecutors on alleged rebellion in connection with his decree, a charge that carries the death penalty or a life sentence if convicted.
Read more from Sky News:
Highs and lows of Five-Year Keir
MP tells Sky News she was targeted online by Tate brothers
Be the first to get Breaking News
Install the Sky News app for free
South Korea must hold a national election within two months to find a new leader.
Lee Jae-myung, leader of the main liberal opposition Democratic Party, is the early favourite to become the country's next president, according to surveys.