South Korea’s President Yoon Permanently Impeached After Martial Law Declaration

The final impeachment of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was confirmed today (04.04.2025) by a unanimous ruling from the Constitutional Court. The court ruled that Yoon violated the country’s constitution by declaring martial law in December. The former president not only declared martial law but also mobilized armed forces and police to obstruct parliamentary functions, violating both the constitution and legal procedures. With the court confirming Yoon’s removal, Prime Minister Han Duck Soo will continue to act as president until a new one is sworn in. According to South Korea’s constitution, presidential elections must be held within 60 days of the court’s decision. Despite Yoon’s claim that he never intended to enforce full martial law, months of protests sparked by political chaos have overshadowed the nation’s efforts to tackle economic growth amid rising tensions with U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade war policies. Yoon became the first sitting South Korean president to be arrested on January 15 on charges of insurrection but was later released when the court overturned the arrest warrant.