South Korea’s impeached president is removed from office, four months after declaring martial law

South Korea’s highest court has removed embattled President Yoon Suk Yeol from office, ending months of uncertainty and legal wrangling after he briefly declared martial law in December and plunged the nation into political turmoil. The court’s decision on Friday marks Yoon’s formal dismissal from the presidency after parliament voted to impeach him in December , relieving many lawmakers who feared he could try imposing martial law again if he was reinstated. In a separate trial, Yoon was arrested in January on charges of leading an insurrection, then released in March after a court canceled his arrest warrant – though it did not drop his charges.

The Constitutional Court’s eight justices unanimously ruled to uphold Yoon’s impeachment. The decision was met with relief and celebration from his opponents – but protest from his supporters. The issue has been hugely divisive, with huge crowds taking to the streets both for and against his removal.



Police ramped up security in the capital ahead of the verdict, setting up barriers and checkpoints, and warning against any violence. It’s a remarkable fall from grace for the former prosecutor-turned-politician, who rose to prominence for his role in the impeachment and imprisonment of another president years ago – only to now meet the same fate..