South Korean president who approved martial law removed from office

BeijingThe decision of the Constitutional Court of South Korea to ratify the Constitutional Court of South Korea was greeted with an outburst of joy on Friday. the dismissal of President Yoon Suk-yeol for imposing martial law last DecemberThe ruling of the country's highest court, adopted unanimously, confirms the process ofimpeachment against Yoon and puts an end to four months of political instability. The Constitution requires new presidential elections to be called within sixty days: the most likely date is June 3, according to the local news agency Yonhap. Until then, the current Prime Minister, Han Duck-soo, will continue to serve as interim president.

The court has immediately stripped President Yoon Suk-yeol of his office for having "violated the Constitution and the laws" in addition to betraying the trust of the South Korean people. This confirms the decision adopted by the Parliament on December 14, which already removed the president for declaring martial law on December 3 and sending troops to prevent entry into the chamber. These acts were considered an attempted coup d'état. From now on, the now officially former president must face criminal proceedings for insurrection.

Yoon Suk-yeol, 65, became president as a candidate for the conservative People's Power Party (PPP). He defeated his rival, Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party, by the narrowest margin in the history of South Korean democracy. This narrow margin and the difficulty of passing laws in an opposition-controlled parliament were Yoon's justifications for declaring martial law. However, aside from the political difficulties, the president and his wife were besieged by potential corruption cases. PPP leader Kwon Young-se declared that the party accepts the verdict and apologized to the population.

The country's division is a fact, as evidenced by the extensive security measures deployed in Seoul to prevent mass clashes between those calling for Yoon's removal and his supporters. Some 14,000 police officers, nearly a tenth of South Korea's police force, have been deployed in the capital to prevent unrest. Since April 1, a 150-meter security perimeter has been in place around the Constitutional Court pending the ruling. Sensitive areas such as Gwanghwamun, the central streets where demonstrations are being held, Parliament, and the area surrounding Yoon's residence were under police surveillance this Friday. Police cordons had also been set up to separate the gatherings of Yoon's opponents from those of his supporters, who gathered near his residence.

The ruling, broadcast on television, sparked a swift reaction on the streets. Euphoria among those in favor of the president's impeachment, gathered in the center of the capital, and sadness among his supporters. Scenes of despair were even seen.

According to the latest Gallup Korea survey, six out of ten South Koreans support the impeachment of the president. Currently, Democratic Party candidate Lee Jae-myung appears to be the favorite to win the election. The South Korean press is highlighting the fact that the ruling demonstrates the strength of South Korean democracy, with headlines such as "Long live democracy" by the Korea Times.

Yoon's decision to declare martial law was the most serious political destabilization since the end of the dictatorship in 1987 and he has become the first president to be removed from office.

With the ratification of theimpeachment The path is clear for a new government. The political destabilization has occurred at a particularly difficult time, as the country, Asia's fourth-largest economy, is experiencing a crisis that has slowed its growth. Furthermore, the interim government must come to an understanding with the new Donald Trump administration, which has already imposed a 24% tariff increase.

The government that emerges from the elections will have to face continued military pressure from North Korea, which is more intense now that it has strengthened its a powerful alliance with Russia. It will also have to deal with the emergence of China and the tariff crisis unleashed by Donald Trump, who may also want to redesign alliances in the Asia-Pacific.

The United States has a defense treaty with South Korea that involves a large deployment of troops in the Asian country and a commitment to defend it in the event of an attack. Trump had already warned that both South Korea and Japan must pay more for defense.