What to know about the impeachment of the president of South Korea Yoon on martial law
On Friday the Constitutional Court of South Korea confirmed the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol, removing it from the office four months after its short imposition of martial law on December 3.
The demonstrators who requested his expulsion broke out in applause to the sentence, shaking the flags and pumping the fists in the air. For weeks preceding the sentence, hundreds of thousands of people who protest in favor and against Mr. Yoon have flanked the roads of Seoul, often enduring temperatures, rain and icy snow.
At 11:00 local time, the supreme judge of acting Moon Hyungbae began to read the sentence, which came after months of resolution. About 22 minutes later, he announced that all eight court judges had voted to remove Mr. Yoon from the assignment. The now former president had “betrayed the trust of the people” and “seriously violated the law,” said Moon.
The court ruling is actually immediately and cannot be challenged. The party of the popular power of Mr. Yoon states that “humbly” accepted the sentence of the Constitutional Court.
Why was Mr. Yoon accused?
At the end of December 3, Mr. Yoon amazed the country when he declared the martial law, but lasted only six hours because the legislators rapidly voted to overturn it. Shortly after making the announcement on live television, the troops stormed the building of the National Assembly, with the military leaders who subsequently testified to have been sent by the president to prevent legislators from being able to vote. The crowds of citizens have faced troops and some legislators have reduced the fences to enter the assembly and vote.
On Friday, judge Moon said that Mr. Yoon’s martial law decree did not meet the constitutional requirement for a national crisis, that Mr. Yoon repeatedly stated that it was one of the reasons why he had made the extraordinary declaration.
Judge Moon said that Mr. Yoon failed in his duties as commander of the nation in chief and that his subsequent lifting of the martial law did not reduce the degree of gravity. The case of impeachment was procedurally valid, he said. Only six of the eight members on the bench had to vote in favor to support the impeachment, but the decision was unanimous.
What will happen later?
The interim president Han Duck-Soo will continue in his role until the nation is elected a new president through a snappy election. This must take place within 60 days from Friday, which means in early June. The National Electoral Commission should announce the date in the next few days.
Political parties will select their candidates through the primary elections.
Lee Jae-myung It is the front-Runner foreseen to guide the opposition Democratic Party. He was a political rival of Mr. Yoon from the last presidential elections of 2022 when he lost against the former president of less than 1 % of the votes. Mr. Lee was at the helm of the political push to remove the welcoming president.
It is less clear who will come out in front of the race to guide the Popular Power Party to power. His former leader, Han Dong-Hoon, resigned in December after the disagreement with Mr. Yoon and his party for the question of martial law.
Oh Se-Hoon, the mayor of Seoul and Hong Joon-Pyo, the mayor of Daegu, are others who have been suggested as potential candidates.
