South Korea’s Constitutional Court made the decision on Friday to remove President Yoon Suk Yeol, who had been impeached four months after declaring martial law, plunging the nation into instability.

The court issued its verdict more than three months after the opposition-controlled National Assembly voted to impeach him. 

Within two months, South Korea is required to conduct a national election to elect a new president. Current surveys indicate that Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the main liberal opposition Democratic Party, is the leading contender for the presidency.

Yoon’s declaration on Dec. 3 lasted only six hours before the liberal opposition-controlled legislature quickly voted it down. 

Even though it was short-lived, Yoon’s martial law declaration and his subsequent impeachment caused significant political unrest, prompting millions to rally in either opposition or support.

Supporters of impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol stage a rally to oppose his impeachment in Seoul, South Korea, Saturday, March 8, 2025. (AP)

The National Assembly voted to impeach Yoon on Dec. 14, accusing him of violating the constitution and other laws by suppressing assembly activities, attempting to detain politicians, and undermining peace across the country.

In a nationally televised verdict, the court’s acting chief, Moon Hyung-bae, said the eight-member bench upheld Yoon’s impeachment because his martial law decree violated the constitution and other laws.

Impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol greets his supporters after he came out of a detention center in Uiwang, South Korea, Saturday, March 8, 2025. (AP)

“Given the grave negative impact on constitutional order and the significant ripple effects of the defendant’s violations, we find that the benefits of upholding the constitution by removing the defendant from office far outweigh the national losses from the removal of a president,” Moon said.

Yoon didn’t immediately respond to the verdict, but his ruling People Power Party said it would accept the decision.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.