South Korea’s Constitutional Court today upheld the impeachment of the country’s President Yoon Suk Yeol. In a nationally televised judgement, at least six out of eight judges ruled in favour of Yoon’s removal.
This means the South Korean leader is immediately removed from the office of the President. During the hearing, the constitutional court judge read out the arguments from both sides. The court found that Yoon did not follow procedures when he implemented martial law.
The judge noted that Yoon’s exercise of national emergency powers was not justified. The court also said Yoon violated his duty as president with his December 3 martial law declaration, acting beyond his constitutional powers with actions that were a serious challenge to democracy.
A presidential election is now required to take place within 60 days. According to the Korean constitution, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo will continue serving as acting president until the new president is inaugurated.