Summary of the Constitutional Court’s Ruling on the Impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol



Hello everyone! 👋

Today’s blog post covers an extraordinary moment in Korean constitutional history. 

On April 4, 2025, the Constitutional Court of Korea issued a landmark ruling: the dismissal of President Yoon Suk-yeol from office.


Let’s explore what happened, why it happened, and what this means for democracy in Korea.

🧭 Background of the Case

The impeachment process began after President Yoon declared martial law on December 3, 2024, citing national paralysis due to opposition party actions and threats from North Korea. The declaration was made through a live national broadcast and included assigning a military general as the martial law commander.

However, within hours, the National Assembly voted unanimously (190/190) to revoke the martial law. On December 4, President Yoon announced the termination of the martial law.

Despite this retraction, political and legal responses escalated. A second impeachment motion was proposed and passed on December 14 with 204 out of 300 lawmakers voting in favor, leading to a constitutional trial.

⚖️ Constitutional Court’s Key Findings

The Court unanimously decided that President Yoon should be removed from office, citing multiple constitutional violations and abuse of power. Here are the main points:

1. Unlawful Declaration of Martial Law

President Yoon did not meet the constitutional or legal requirements for declaring martial law. There was no real state of war or rebellion, and no extreme public disorder that justified using military power.

Martial law is only justified under imminent, unavoidable threats. In this case, political tension was not a sufficient reason.

2. Use of Military Against the National Assembly

Troops were ordered to physically enter the National Assembly, break windows, and block lawmakers from entering the chamber. There were also attempts to remove legislators by force and arrest key political figures, including party leaders and even former justices.

This direct military interference in democratic institutions was deemed a grave violation of the Constitution.

3. Violation of Due Process

The process of declaring martial law lacked proper procedure. There was no legitimate cabinet meeting, no documentation, no official approval from relevant ministers, and the martial law order was not communicated to the National Assembly as required by law.

4. Abuse of Military and Surveillance Powers

The President ordered military and intelligence agencies to monitor or locate political and judicial figures, indicating intentions to arrest or silence dissent.

These actions violated principles of civil liberty, judicial independence, and political neutrality of the armed forces.

5. Unconstitutional Purpose

The Court concluded that President Yoon’s actions were politically motivated, aimed at undermining the opposition and protecting his power, not at protecting the nation.

💥 Final Decision

🔴 President Yoon Suk-yeol is removed from office.

The Court emphasized that the President’s abuse of emergency powers endangered democracy, broke public trust, and violated the foundational values of the Constitution.

While acknowledging the political complexity and risk of national instability, the Court ruled that no individual, not even the President, is above the law.

💬 What This Means for Korea

This ruling marks only the second impeachment of a Korean president, after President Park Geun-hye in 2017. It shows that Korean democracy has matured, and constitutional checks and balances are functioning.

It also serves as a global example: in a healthy democracy, even the highest office is held accountable to the rule of law.

📌 Conclusion

The impeachment and removal of President Yoon Suk-yeol is a turning point in Korea’s democratic journey. It reminds us that:

  • Constitutional limits exist for a reason.

  • Abuse of emergency powers cannot be tolerated.

  • Democracy requires vigilance, responsibility, and the courage to act.

Let us hope that Korea moves forward with stronger institutions, deeper civic trust, and an unwavering commitment to democracy. 🙌

If you found this summary helpful, feel free to leave a comment.

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