South Korea’s Constitutional Court Begins Yoon Suk Yeol Impeachment Trial

South Korea’s Constitutional Court has officially commenced trial proceedings to determine the fate of President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was impeached following his declaration of martial law that plunged the nation into political upheaval. The impeachment, passed by lawmakers last Saturday, comes amid mounting public protests demanding Yoon’s removal.

Key Developments in the Impeachment Saga

1. Constitutional Court’s Role
   The Constitutional Court has six months to deliberate on Yoon’s impeachment and decide whether to permanently remove him from office or reinstate him. If the court upholds the impeachment, South Korea will be required to hold fresh presidential elections within 60 days.

   The court is currently operating with only six of its nine justices due to vacancies, which could complicate the trial. Public hearings may take months, but pressure is mounting for a swift resolution to the country’s political crisis.

2. Protests and Public Sentiment
   Yoon’s declaration of martial law has sparked widespread protests, with citizens vowing to maintain demonstrations throughout the trial. Protesters argue that his actions undermined democracy and called for his resignation, further fueling the political uncertainty.

3. Party Turmoil in the People Power Party (PPP)
   The impeachment has left Yoon’s ruling People Power Party in disarray. PPP leader Han Dong-hoon announced his resignation shortly after the impeachment proceedings began, citing the collapse of party leadership and internal divisions.

   • Twelve PPP lawmakers joined opposition legislators in voting for Yoon’s impeachment, enabling the motion to pass.
   • The pro-Yoon faction within the PPP has been critical of Han’s role in supporting the impeachment, intensifying intra-party conflict.

   Han’s resignation and the automatic dissolution of the PPP Supreme Council leave the party leaderless, further destabilizing its position.

4. Legal and Political Uncertainty
   President Yoon has refused to cooperate with prosecutors, ignoring a summons for questioning in Seoul. Authorities have indicated that police action may be taken if he continues to resist. Yoon has defended his decision to impose martial law, claiming he will “fight until the end” to justify his actions.

Implications for South Korea

This is only the third time in South Korea’s history that a sitting president has faced impeachment. In previous cases:

• The court upheld the impeachment of President Park Geun-hye in 2017, leading to new elections.
• Conversely, it overturned the impeachment of President Roh Moo-hyun in 2004.

If Yoon’s impeachment is upheld, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo will continue to serve as acting president until a new election is held.

Fallout and Next Steps

Yoon’s trial will be closely watched, both domestically and internationally, as it represents a critical juncture for South Korea’s political stability. The impeachment has exposed fractures within the ruling party, cast doubts on the administration’s leadership, and heightened public distrust.

The court’s decision will determine not only Yoon’s political future but also the direction of South Korea’s democracy in the face of such unprecedented political turmoil.