South Korea’s constitutional court has officially commenced trial proceedings to determine the fate of President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was impeached after declaring martial law, throwing the country into political chaos.
As per the sources of Leaders team, last Saturday, members of parliament voted to impeach Yoon, following massive protests demanding his resignation. The court now has six months to decide whether to uphold the impeachment and permanently remove Yoon from office or reinstate him.
Political Fallout and Leadership Resignations
The impeachment has left Yoon’s ruling People Power Party (PPP) in disarray. On Monday, the party’s leader, Han Dong-hoon, announced his resignation amid mounting pressure from a faction loyal to Yoon. Han initially sought to mediate the crisis but later supported the impeachment as the only viable solution to resolve the crisis.
According to the reports of Leaders sources, the Supreme Council of the PPP has also crumbled, with all five of its members stepping down, effectively dissolving the party’s leadership. “While it pains me to think of my heartbroken supporters, I don’t regret it,” Han said of his decision to support Yoon’s impeachment.
Legal and Political Uncertainty
The constitutional court has set a preliminary hearing date for 27 December, even though three of its nine seats remain vacant. Despite this, the court confirmed it could proceed with six judges.
If the court upholds the impeachment, South Korea will need to hold fresh presidential elections within 60 days. Until then, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo is serving as acting president.
Yoon’s future in the courtroom remains uncertain. He has so far refused to comply with prosecutors’ summons for questioning and could face arrest if he continues to evade them. Despite his impeachment, Yoon has doubled down, defending his decision to impose martial law and vowing to fight until the end.
Widespread Public Outcry
The impeachment comes against a backdrop of widespread protests. Citizens have pledged to sustain pressure on the court to remove Yoon as the trial progresses. This is only the third impeachment trial for a South Korean president, with one previous impeachment reversed and another upheld.
A Nation at a Crossroads
South Korea now finds itself in a state of political uncertainty, with the impeachment trial being closely watched both domestically and internationally. The outcome will not only determine Yoon’s political future but also set a precedent for the country’s democratic process and institutional stability.
As the trial begins, the court faces immense pressure to act swiftly and decisively to restore order and public trust in the nation’s leadership.
