South Korea’s Constitutional Court has unanimously ruled to remove impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol from office.
The verdict comes over three months after the opposition-controlled National Assembly voted to impeach Yoon.
Yoon’s downfall began when he declared martial law, deploying troops and police to the National Assembly in an attempt to break legislative gridlock.
However, senior military and police officials testified that Yoon ordered them to forcibly remove lawmakers and block a vote on his decree. Despite the military presence, legislators convened and unanimously struck down the decree.
The impeachment has intensified political divisions across South Korea, sparking nationwide protests both for and against Yoon. Analysts warn that his supporters may escalate demonstrations in response to the court’s verdict, prolonging unrest.
With Yoon officially removed, South Korea must now hold a national election within two months to elect a new leader. Early polls suggest Lee Jae-myung, leader of the main liberal opposition Democratic Party, is the frontrunner.
Anti-Yoon protesters gathered near Seoul’s historic royal palace erupted in celebration as news of the ruling spread.
