South Korea's Constitutional Court confirmed the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol for declaring martial law, which violated the constitution and disrupted judicial independence. Following his December proclamation amidst political unrest, Yoon faced immediate charges and was ultimately impeached by parliament. His supporters and anti-impeachment protesters gathered outside the court as police heightened security. Notably, Yoon resisted arrest for two weeks at the presidential compound. The country is now required to elect a new president within 60 days while Yoon contends with ongoing criminal trials related to his actions.
The court found that Yoon's martial law declaration "violated" the constitution, did not follow correct procedures and interfered with the independence of the judiciary.
Yoon was arrested and charged by prosecutors in January over his December 3 decision to declare martial law, a move that plunged the country into political turmoil.
Yoon has since defended the short-lived imposition of martial law as a "proclamation that the nation was facing an existential crisis."
South Korea must now elect a new president within the next 60 days, while Yoon faces a parallel criminal trial over insurrection charges.
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