S. Korea’s Constitutional Court upholds president Yoon’s impeachment

South Korea’s Constitutional Court on Friday upheld the impeachment of the country’s President Yoon Suk Yeol. In a nationally televised judgement, at least six out of eight judges ruled in favour of Yoon’s removal. This means the South Korean leader is immediately removed from the office of the President. During the hearing, the constitutional court judge read out the arguments from both sides. The court found that Yoon did not follow procedures when he implemented martial law. The judge noted that Yoon’s exercise of national emergency powers was not justified. The court also said Yoon violated his duty as president with his December 3 martial law declaration, acting beyond his constitutional powers with actions that were a serious challenge to democracy.
A presidential election is now required to take place within 60 days. According to the Korean constitution, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo will continue serving as acting president until the new president is inaugurated.On December 14, the parliament impeached the president after he introduced martial law in the country. Lawmakers said the measure was imposed in violation of the constitution. The president denied any wrongd.
His removal triggers fresh presidential elections, which must be held within 60 days. "Given the serious negative impact and far-reaching consequences of the respondent's constitutional violations ... (We) dismiss respondent President Yoon Suk Yeol," said acting court President Moon Hyung-bae.Yoon is the second South Korean leader to be impeached by the court after Park Geun-hye in 2017. After weeks of tense hearings, judges spent more than a month deliberating the case, all while public unrest swelled. Yoon also faces a separate criminal trial on charges of insurrection over the martial law bid.