South Korea’s Constitutional Court has unanimously upheld the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol, immediately removing him from office over his controversial martial law, BBC reported. The decision, announced early April 4, triggers a 60-day countdown for a snap presidential election.  

Heightened security surrounded the National Assembly as tensions flared ahead of the ruling. Yonhap reported that by early morning, around 1,500 police officers had been deployed, with barricades and identity checks in place to control access. Thousands of demonstrators, both supporting and opposing Yoon, filled the streets of Seoul, prompting authorities to declare the highest-level ‘Gap-ho emergency’ nationwide.  

The court’s ruling condemned Yoon’s imposition of martial law as a violation of democratic principles. Justice Moon Hyung-bae, acting president of the Constitutional Court, stated that Yoon’s exercise of “national emergency powers” lacked justification, as no legitimate crisis necessitated military intervention. He further asserted that Yoon had failed to follow proper procedures and had "infringed on the validity of the National Assembly."  

Another judge, Moon Jae-in, emphasised that Yoon’s actions had “damaged people’s basic political rights” and accused him of turning against those he was sworn to protect. The court concluded that his declaration of martial law contradicted the rule of law and democracy.  

Despite Yoon’s legal team arguing that he was merely exercising his constitutional emergency powers, the court rejected this defense. Yoon himself did not attend the ruling, reportedly due to security concerns.  

With the presidency now vacant, South Korea faces a critical transition period as political parties scramble to prepare for the upcoming election. Meanwhile, the country remains on high alert, bracing for potential unrest in the wake of this historic verdict.