Impeachment of South Korean President: Yoon Suk-yeol Removed from Office and Political Outlook for 2025

Impeachment of South Korean President: Yoon Suk-yeol's Removal from Office and Political Outlook for 2025

April 3, 2025 marked another significant chapter in South Korean political history. The Constitutional Court unanimously (8-0) confirmed the impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol, officially removing him from office. This decision concluded a series of tumultuous events that began with the declaration of martial law in December 2024. As a political analyst, I will detail the unfolding of this event, its significance, and the future outlook for South Korean politics based on factual information.

Table of Contents

Background of the Impeachment: The Martial Law Incident
Impeachment Process: The National Assembly and the Constitutional Court
Post-Removal: Acting President Han Duck-soo and the New Election
Legal Aftermath: Charges of Treason
Political Outlook for 2025

Background of the Impeachment: The Martial Law Incident

The events began around 10 PM on December 3, 2024, when President Yoon Suk-yeol declared martial law in a televised address. He claimed that "North Korean communist forces and anti-state elements were threatening the nation" and attempted to use military forces to control the National Assembly and key facilities. This was the first declaration of martial law since May 1980, 44 years prior, and shocked South Korean society. However, the National Assembly immediately retaliated, voting 204 to 85 to lift martial law in the early hours of December 4, and the military withdrew. On X, the hashtag "#WithdrawMartialLaw" became the top trending topic in real-time, expressing public outrage.

This incident, coupled with a sharp decline in President Yoon's approval rating (from the 20% range in November 2024 to below 10% in December), led to discussions of impeachment. Experts criticized the martial law declaration for not meeting the requirements of "national emergency" under Article 77 of the Constitution, a key argument in the subsequent impeachment proceedings.

Impeachment Process: The National Assembly and the Constitutional Court

Following the lifting of martial law, the National Assembly moved swiftly:

• December 14, 2024: The National Assembly passed the impeachment motion (204 in favor, 85 opposed, 3 abstentions, 8 invalid). In accordance with Article 65 of the Constitution, the President's duties were suspended.
• January-March 2025: The Constitutional Court conducted its review. President Yoon's side argued that it was a "necessary measure for national security," but lacked persuasive evidence of a concrete threat.
• April 4, 2025: The Constitutional Court unanimously upheld the impeachment. It ruled that the declaration of martial law violated the Constitution and the law.
  The Constitutional Court concluded that the declaration of martial law damaged the "basic democratic order." This marked the second instance of a South Korean president's removal from office, following the impeachment of Park Geun-hye (March 10, 2017).

Post-Removal: Acting President Han Duck-soo and the New Election

With the confirmation of the impeachment, President Yoon Suk-yeol was immediately removed from office, and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo is currently serving as acting president. According to Article 71 of the Constitution, a new presidential election must be held within 60 days of a presidential vacancy. Therefore, the election is scheduled to be held no later than early June 2025.

Acting President Han Duck-soo is leading the executive branch, prioritizing "national stability and the restoration of people's livelihoods." Major political parties have already begun preparing for the presidential election. The People Power Party is seeking new leadership amidst internal turmoil, while the Democratic Party is strengthening its election strategy centered around Lee Jae-myung.

Legal Aftermath: Charges of Treason

Former President Yoon Suk-yeol will also face criminal charges related to the declaration of martial law. In January 2025, the prosecution launched an investigation into charges of "treason" (Article 87 of the Criminal Code), a serious crime punishable by death or life imprisonment. Key issues include:

• Whether the order to mobilize the military can be interpreted as an "intention to overthrow the state."
• Ignoring legal procedures (such as Cabinet approval) during the declaration of martial law.
  On X, "Yoon Suk-yeol's treason charges" have become a hotly debated topic, with public opinion divided on whether he should face legal punishment.

Political Outlook for 2025

Yoon Suk-yeol's removal from office heralds significant changes in South Korean politics:

• Presidential Election Competition: The June election is expected to be a fierce battle between conservatives and progressives. For the People Power Party, restoring public trust is crucial; for the Democratic Party, securing a majority is key.
• National Stability: Under Acting President Han Duck-soo's leadership, economic recovery and diplomacy (especially relations with North America) are major challenges.
• Public Trust: Repeated impeachment cases could deepen political distrust.
  2025 will be a year that tests the resilience and direction of South Korean democracy. For more detailed information, please refer to the Constitutional Court or major news outlets.