Seoul, South Korea — A violation of people’s basic rights and a betrayal of public trust.
This was the verdict on South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol as the country’s constitutional court officially removed him from office.
In a decision on Friday the Constitutional Court upheld the Parliament’s move for his impeachment over insurrection charges following martial law declaration.
Via unanimous vote, the Court officially ousted Yoon, 4 months after he was impeached by the parliament in December.
Acting chief justice Moon Hyung-bae dismissed Yoon’s reasons for the martial law declaration, saying that he also overstepped his authority and power when he deployed military troops.
Moon further added that such unlawful and unconstitutional conduct cannot be tolerated by the constitution, costing the dismissal of Yoon as the country’s president.
Following his declaration of martial law in December that only lasted for six hours, the national assembly voted for his impeachment on the 14th of the month.
In January, he was arrested, while a Court ordered his release form decision as the arrest was unconstitutional a month later.
Following the court’s verdict, Yoon said that he would accept it, expressing gratitude to his supporters, and that it was his honor to serve the Republic of Korea.
With his removal from the post, other legal accountabilities and criminal investigations, while he was also stripped off of his presidential privileges as well as his pension.
After these political developments, the government and the Republic of Korea have 60 days or 2 months to hold a presidential election to elect a new leader.
Until a new leader is elected, acting president Han Duck-soo will remain in the post.