President Yoon Suk Yeol removed from office as court upholds impeachment

The Constitutional Court's acting Chief Justice Moon Hyung-bae reads the decision upholding the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol at the court's main courtroom in central Seoul, Friday. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

The Constitutional Court upheld the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol, resulting in his immediate removal from office. The decision to remove the president from office was unanimous, with all eight Constitutional Court justices voting in favor, 8–0.

The ruling came 111 days after the National Assembly passed the impeachment motion against Yoon, accusing him of treason for declaring martial law on Dec. 3.

Acting Chief Justice Moon Hyung-bae began reading the reasoning for their ruling at 11 a.m., and the decision to remove Yoon from the presidency was finalized at 11:22 a.m.

"The respondent declared the martial law in question with the intent of overcoming a standoff with the National Assembly, then deployed military and police forces to obstruct the Assembly’s exercise of its constitutional authority, thereby denying the principles of popular sovereignty and democracy," Moon said, emphasizing that Yoon abandoned his responsibility to safeguard the Constitution and gravely betrayed the trust of the sovereign people of the Republic of Korea.

"Given the significant negative impact and widespread repercussions of his violations of the constitutional order, it is recognized that the benefit of upholding the Constitution by removing the respondent from office far outweighs the national costs associated with dismissing a sitting president. Accordingly, the court issues the following unanimous decision: ... Ruling: the respondent, President Yoon Suk Yeol, is hereby removed from office," the acting chief justice read in the ruling.

There were no dissenting justices, and only a few expressed separate opinions on specific issues.

President Yoon Suk Yeol attends a hearing for his impeachment trial at the Constitutional Court in central Seoul, Jan. 21. Joint Press Corps

This marks the first dismissal of a sitting president in Korea in eight years, following the impeachment of former President Park Geun-hye in March 2017. Under Article 68 of the Constitution, a new presidential election must be held within 60 days of the court's ruling.

In Park’s impeachment case, the Constitutional Court upheld the decision on March 10, 2017. Exactly 60 days later, on May 9, a presidential election was held, resulting in the victory of Moon Jae-in, former leader of the Democratic Party of Korea.

With the impeachment ruling now issued, the 60-day deadline falls on Tuesday, June 3, making it highly likely that the presidential election will be held on that day or earlier.

Following Yoon’s immediate removal, he and first lady Kim Keon Hee must vacate the presidential residence in central Seoul's Hannam-dong.

If they return to their previous home in southern Seoul, where they used to live before Yoon’s inauguration, security measures will be provided. Under the current law, an impeached president who fails to complete their term is entitled to up to 10 years of security protection.

Similarly, Park was only able to move to her private residence in southern Seoul two days after her impeachment ruling, due to the time needed to arrange security measures.

Officials lower the Phoenix flag, the symbol of the South Korean president, at the presidential office in central Seoul's Yongsan District, Friday, following the Constitutional Court's ruling to remove President Yoon Suk Yeol from office. Yonhap

Following the top court's decision, acting President Han Duck-soo stated in a national address that he takes the unprecedented impeachment of a sitting head of state — the second in the nation's constitutional history — with great gravity. He pledged to ensure there would be no gaps in national security and foreign affairs during his tenure as acting president.

He also emphasized his commitment to addressing ongoing economic and trade issues without disruption, maintaining public order, and thoroughly preparing for various disasters.

Yoon also issued a statement about three hours after the court's ruling, saying, "It has been a great honor to serve the Republic of Korea."

He continued, "I am deeply grateful to all of you who supported and encouraged me despite my many shortcomings. I am truly sorry and heartbroken that I could not live up to your expectations. I will always pray for our beloved nation, Korea."

The chief of staff and all senior secretaries at the presidential office tendered their resignations later in the afternoon. However, the acting president rejected them, citing the need to avoid a vacuum in state affairs and ensure the smooth handling of pressing issues, including those related to the economy and national security.

Rep. Kwon Young-se, interim leader of the ruling People Power Party, bows to the public at the National Assembly in Seoul, Friday, following the Constitutional Court's ruling. Yonhap

Meanwhile, Kwon Young-se, interim leader of the ruling People Power Party (PPP), expressed the party's regret and apologies to the public following the impeachment ruling, saying the party takes the Constitutional Court's decision seriously and humbly accepts it.

Speaking to reporters at the National Assembly, Kwon acknowledged that opinions may differ but emphasized, "We firmly believe that respecting this decision is the only way to uphold democracy and the rule of law. We see this as part of our society’s progress toward becoming a more mature democracy. Above all, I extend my deepest apologies to the people."

He added that the party takes the public’s criticism and reprimands to heart and will accept them fully.

The leadership of the ruling conservative party, including Kwon, the party chairman, and floor leader Kweon Seong-dong, visited the presidential residence to meet with Yoon from 5 p.m. for about 30 minutes.

During the meeting, Yoon expressed his gratitude to the party leaders and conveyed his hopes for a victory in the upcoming presidential election.

“I feel both sorry and thankful to the people and supporters who stood by me. Although I’m stepping down in this way, I sincerely hope for the country's continued success,” Yoon said during the meeting, according to the party's senior spokesperson. “There isn’t much time left, so I hope the party takes the lead and prepares thoroughly to ensure victory.”

Rep. Lee Jae-myung, leader of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea, welcomes the Constitutional Court's decision to confirm President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment at the National Assembly in Seoul, Friday. Yonhap

Rep. Lee Jae-myung, leader of the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea, stated that his party will do its utmost to ensure that the tragedy of constitutional disruption is never repeated and that politics becomes a source of hope for the people and the nation.

"The court has ruled to remove former President Yoon, who destroyed the Constitution and threatened democracy and the public with the power and military force entrusted to him by the people," Lee said in an emergency statement at the National Assembly. "The impeachment of a sitting president for the second time in our nation’s history is a tragedy that must never happen again. This is a moment for deep reflection and a profound sense of responsibility for everyone in politics, including myself."

Lee further stated that Korea holds a unique place in world history as a nation where unarmed citizens peacefully succeeded in toppling authoritarian power, emphasizing that the country's democracy has been revived by the will of the people.