South Korea's Impeached President Is Removed From Office Four Months After Declaring Martial Law

South Korea's Supreme Court has officially removed President Yoon Suk Yeol from office, following a tumultuous period of legal disputes that began after he briefly declared martial law last December, leading to political chaos.
The court's ruling on Friday finalizes Yoon's impeachment by parliament late last year, and his removal takes effect immediately, necessitating his departure from the presidential residence and prompting a new election to find his replacement.
This marks a significant downfall for Yoon, a former prosecutor who gained notoriety for leading the impeachment and imprisonment of a previous president, only to face a similar outcome himself.
The court's unanimous decision, delivered by its eight justices, denounced Yoon’s actions as a severe betrayal of public trust. Acting Chief Justice Moon Hyung-bae criticized Yoon's December 3 decision to send troops to parliament and order lawmakers to be forcibly removed, stating that there was no national emergency to warrant such moves and that they were unconstitutional.
Yoon was arrested in January on insurrection charges during a separate criminal trial, but was released in March when a court canceled his arrest warrant, although the charges remain.
After the ruling, Yoon expressed gratitude to his supporters, lamenting that he did not meet their expectations. Reactions in Seoul were mixed, with his opponents celebrating outside the court, waving flags and dancing, fearing that he might attempt to declare martial law again if reinstated.
In contrast, the atmosphere outside Yoon's official residence was more subdued, with conservative supporters present. A member of his ruling party acknowledged the verdict and pledged to continue serving the public.
The situation has been highly polarizing, with large crowds protesting both for and against Yoon's removal. In anticipation of the verdict, police heightened security measures in the capital with barriers and checkpoints to prevent violence.