South Korea court ousts impeached president Yoon

Following months of political unrest, South Korea’s top court unanimously decided on Friday to remove impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol from office due to his botched declaration of martial law, setting the stage for new elections.

Lawmakers suspended Yoon, 64, for his attempt to overthrow civilian government on December 3, which involved sending armed soldiers to parliament. In a different criminal case, he was also taken into custody on insurrection-related allegations.

KakaoTalk, the nation’s primary messaging service, told AFP that some users were suffering problems because of an unexpected spike in traffic as millions of Koreans watched the Constitutional Court’s decision live on television.

“Given the serious negative impact and far-reaching consequences of the respondent’s constitutional violations… (We) dismiss respondent President Yoon Suk Yeol,” acting court President Moon Hyung-bae said while delivering the ruling.

Yoon’s removal, which is effective immediately, triggers fresh presidential elections, which must be held within 60 days. Authorities will announce a date in the coming days.

Outside the court, AFP reporters heard Yoon supporters shouting threats that they wanted to kill the judges, who decided unanimously to uphold Yoon’s impeachment, and have been given additional security protection by police.

Yoon’s actions “violate the core principles of the rule of law and democratic governance”, the judges said in their ruling.

Yoon sending armed soldiers to parliament in a bid to prevent lawmakers from voting down his decree “violated the political neutrality of the armed forces”.

He deployed troops for “political purposes”, the judges added.
“In the end, the respondent’s unconstitutional and illegal acts are a betrayal of the people’s trust and constitute a serious violation of the law that cannot be tolerated,” they ruled.

Lawmakers from Yoon’s party poured out of the courtroom as the verdict was announced, and members of the opposition party clapped their hands and referred to it as “historic.”

In a succinct statement following the verdict, Yoon expressed regret for not living up to the “expectations” of the public.