Overview

• President Yoon Suk Yeol was officially removed from office after an 8-0 ruling by South Korea's Constitutional Court, marking the nation's second presidential impeachment in history.
• Yoon's December 2024 martial law declaration was deemed a grave violation of constitutional principles and democratic governance by the court.
• Acting President Han Duck-soo will oversee the government transition and manage preparations for a new presidential election within 60 days.
• Yoon, who faces an upcoming criminal trial on insurrection charges starting April 14, 2025, defended his actions as necessary but expressed regret for failing to meet public expectations.
• The leadership vacuum comes as South Korea grapples with U.S. trade tariffs, tensions with North Korea, and deep political divisions exacerbated by Yoon's impeachment.