South Korea's Constitutional Court has ruled to uphold the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol, with security massively ramped up in Seoul ahead of the verdict.
All eight of the court's judges voted to remove Yoon from office today. Yoon was impeached after briefly instating martial law in December.
“This is a victory for the Constitution and democracy. It is a victory for the people,” said opposition National Assembly member and impeachment committee leader Jung Chung-Rae. “I thank the people who defeated the enemies of democracy through democracy. I deeply appreciate the Constitutional Court for its wise and historic ruling.”
Constitutional Court Justice Moon Hyung-Bae ruled that Yoon's martial law declaration had not been made during a national crisis, as would be legally required, and that Yoon's actions violated both his duty as president and the rights of South Korea's National Assembly.
“I urge politicians and the National Assembly to set aside their differences and come together with unity and wisdom for Korea's future,” said acting president Han Duck-soo after the ruling. “The government will exert every effort to fulfill its responsibilities and ensure that the lives of the people and the economy remain stable.”
More than 14,000 police officers have been mobilised in Seoul in preparation for the verdict. Around 150 metres of the street in front of the Constitutional Court has been closed.
Schools, museums, and subway stations near the court are also closed today. A no-fly zone of 1.85 kilometres has been imposed around the court, and Han has added further police protection for the court’s eight justices.
Protests both against and in favour of Yoon have been ongoing in Seoul since Yoon’s martial law declaration. Yoon’s supporters forcibly entered and attacked a South Korean court in January after it ruled to extend his detention.
“Whatever decision is made, we must calmly and coolly accept the result in accordance with the principles of the rule of law,” said Han before the Constitutional Court's verdict.
Now that Yoon has been removed from office, a new presidential election will be held within 60 days. Yoon must also vacate the presidential residence in Seoul's Yongsan District, with the presidential flag at the site being lowered immediately after the ruling.
Yoon declared martial law in December after an investigation was opened into his wife Kim Keon-hee and four allied officials, with the country’s National Assembly overturning the declaration hours later. He is also facing a criminal trial over the declaration, having been charged with leading an insurrection.
Han took over as acting president following Yoon’s impeachment, though he was also impeached in December after vetoing bills to investigate Yoon and Kim. Han was reinstated as acting president with a Constitutional Court ruling last month.
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