South Korea's Yoon Suk Yeol Removed From Office After Failed Martial Law Move

South Korea’s former president, Yoon Suk Yeol, has been officially removed from office after what many of his former allies call a reckless and politically charged decision to impose martial law without valid cause.

According to a ruling from South Korea’s Constitutional Court, Yoon breached his presidential duties by briefly enacting martial law on December 3rd, an action lacking legal justification. This verdict came after parliament had earlier voted to impeach him during the third year of his five-year tenure. The decision reflects growing concern about the misuse of executive powers in the country’s fragile democracy.

As reported by LMSINT MEDIA, Yoon, a 64-year-old former prosecutor-general, now faces serious criminal charges, including allegations of attempting insurrection. Authorities claim he orchestrated the use of military force to suppress a parliament dominated by opposition lawmakers, whom he accused of undermining national security.

In his defense, Yoon told the court that the martial law order—lasting only six hours—was aimed at preserving national stability amid what he described as threats from “anti-state forces.”

One of his former colleagues, Han Dong-soo, who worked closely with Yoon during his tenure in the prosecutor’s office, said Yoon’s transition from legal heavyweight to head of state was driven by ambition and risky political maneuvers.

“He was the most powerful prosecutor-general in modern South Korea. His aggressive style and anti-corruption campaigns propelled him to fame and the presidency,” Han remarked.

Yoon rose to prominence in 2022 following his bold investigations targeting South Korea’s elite political class. These moves gained him massive public support, branding him as a reformist despite his authoritarian undertones.

However, his presidency was continually mired in controversy. Among them were ethics complaints involving his wife, Kim Keon Hee, who came under scrutiny for allegedly accepting a luxury Christian Dior handbag improperly, which further eroded public trust in his administration.

What Happens Next?

With his presidency now legally terminated, Yoon Suk Yeol is expected to face trial over the charges of inciting insurrection and abuse of power. If convicted, the case could set a precedent for how democracies in Asia confront executive overreach.

Read more about South Korea’s democratic evolution and presidential impeachment history on BBC News.

Check out our full report on recent political power shifts in Asia for more regional analysis.