impeachment of Yoon Suk Yeol

{{Infobox impeachment process

| title = Impeachment of Yoon Suk Yeol

| image = {{multiple image

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| direction = vertical

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| image1 = 20241214 ROK NA Speaker Woo Won Shik signing the resolution to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol 02.jpg

| caption1 = Speaker of the National Assembly Woo Won-shik signing the article of impeachment after its passage in the National Assembly, 14 December 2024

| alt1 = Reporters surrounding Woo with cameras as he signs the article of impeachment

| image2 = Judgment of Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment in 4 April 2025 (cropped).jpg

| caption2 = Acting President of the Constitutional Court Moon Hyung-bae (center) announcing the court decision removing Yoon from office, 4 April 2025

| alt2 = The Constitutional Court chamber. At the center of the bench in the back of the chamber, Moon is speaking.

| class2 = pageimage

}}

| accused = Yoon Suk Yeol, 13th president of South Korea

| date = {{Plainlist|

Since initial motion:
{{start and end dates|2024|12|4|2025|4|4|df=y}}
{{hr}}
Yoon's power suspension:
{{start and end dates|2024|12|14|2025|4|4|df=y}}

}}

| accusations = * Violation of principle of popular sovereignty{{Cite web |date=12 December 2024 |script-title=ko:[전문] 野6당 발의 2차 '윤석열 대통령 탄핵소추안' |access-date=23 December 2024 |website=Yonhap News Agency |language=ko |url=https://m.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20241212163700001 |author1=안정훈}}

Obstruction of the exercise of rights
Obstruction of the performance of official duties
Abuse of power
Sedition

| cause = Declaration of martial law

| header_votes = National Assembly votes

| vote1 = First impeachment motion
7 December 2024

| present1 = {{composition bar|195|300|gray|per=1}}

| not_voting1 = {{composition bar|105|300|gray|per=1}}

| result1 = Impeachment unsuccessful

Votes not counted due to failure to reach quorum amid People Power Party boycott

| vote2 = Second impeachment motion
14 December 2024

| votes_favor2 = {{composition bar|204|300|green|per=1}}

| votes_against2 = {{composition bar|85|300|red|per=1}}

| result2 = Impeachment successful

Yoon's presidential powers and duties were suspended for the duration of the impeachment trial
Prime Minister Han Duck-soo becomes acting president

| vote3 = Decision by Constitutional Court of Korea
4 April 2025

| votes_favor3 = {{composition bar|8|8|green|per=1}}

| votes_against3 = {{composition bar|0|8|red|per=1}}

| result3 = Impeachment upheld

Yoon removed from office; Snap presidential election was held in June 2025; Lee Jae-myung elected as president
Han continues as acting president until his own resignation
Yoon disqualified from holding public office in South Korea for five years

| notes = National Assembly: [https://likms.assembly.go.kr/bill/billDetail.do?billId=PRC_A2A4A1L2O1B2I1S8C0Y2M1Z8P6E4Q4 2206448]
Constitutional Court: [https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:2024%ED%97%8C%EB%82%988_%EB%8C%80%ED%86%B5%EB%A0%B9(%EC%9C%A4%EC%84%9D%EC%97%B4)_%ED%83%84%ED%95%B5%EC%8B%AC%ED%8C%90_%EA%B2%B0%EC%A0%95%EB%AC%B8.pdf 2024헌나8]

}}

On 14 December 2024, Yoon Suk Yeol, the 13th president of South Korea, was impeached by the National Assembly. This action came in response to Yoon's declaration of martial law on 3 December 2024.

Prime Minister of South Korea Han Duck-soo assumed the role of acting president pending the Constitutional Court's decision on whether to accept the impeachment. Han was himself impeached on 27 December 2024, and first deputy prime minister Choi Sang-mok became acting president. On 24 March 2025, Han was acquitted by the Constitutional Court and returned to the role of acting president.

The court upheld the impeachment of Yoon in a unanimous 8–0 decision on 4 April 2025, removing Yoon from office. Thus, Han continued as acting president until resigning, along with Choi, on 1 May 2025, leaving second deputy prime minister Lee Ju-ho as acting president until the next presidential election is held, which must occur within 60 days. The court determined that Yoon's five major illegal acts, including ordering the military and police to block lawmakers from entering the National Assembly, ordering the arrest of judges and Supreme Court justices, and illegally declaring martial law, were serious violations of the Constitution.{{Cite news|date=4 April 2025|script-title=ko:[헌재 결정문 전문] 헌재, 만장일치로 尹 탄핵소추안 인용|trans-title=[Full text of Constitutional Court decision] Constitutional Court unanimously upholds the impeachment motion against Yoon|url=https://www.chosun.com/national/court_law/2025/04/04/NKWHZUATZNHSRJ25VO7EO34G2M/|access-date=4 April 2025|language=ko|work=The Chosun Ilbo }}

An earlier impeachment motion was put to a parliamentary vote on 7 December 2024, but failed because the number of attending legislators did not meet the quorum required for its passage, as members of the ruling People Power Party (PPP) boycotted the vote.{{Cite web |date=2024-12-07 |title=[속보] 윤 대통령 탄핵안 '폐기'… 與 표결 불참 '꼼수'에 투표 불성립 |url=https://www.hankookilbo.com/News/Read/A2024120717580003520?did=NA |access-date=2025-04-10 |website=한국일보 |language=ko}} On 14 December, the second vote was held, and the National Assembly passed the impeachment bill against Yoon with 204 of the 300 members voting in favor of impeachment.{{Cite news |last=이유미 |date=2024-12-14 |title=국회, 尹대통령 탄핵안 가결…헌정사 세 번째 탄핵소추(종합) {{!}} 연합뉴스 |url=https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20241214043651001 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20241217202109/https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20241214043651001 |archive-date=2024-12-17 |access-date=2025-04-10 |work=연합뉴스 |language=ko-KR}}

Opinion polling on the Yoon Suk Yeol presidency throughout 2024 was increasingly negative. The declaration of martial law hardened these views, with many surveyed in South Korea believing Yoon should resign voluntarily, or that he should be formally removed from office.{{Cite web |date=6 December 2024 |title=Yoon's approval rating dips to 13% following martial law chaos: poll |url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2024/12/356_387835.html |access-date=6 December 2024 |website=The Korea Times |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=6 December 2024 |title=South Korea's governing party leader calls for suspension of Yoon's powers |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/12/6/south-koreas-ruling-party-head-calls-for-suspension-of-yoons-powers |access-date=6 December 2024 |website=Al Jazeera English |language=en}}

Background

{{If mobile|File:South Korea President Yoon Suk Yeol portrait.jpg in 2022]]}}

South Korea has been governed as a presidential democracy under the 1987 constitution, which provides for a strong independent executive. As a result, presidents can only be removed by a difficult impeachment process, rather than a simple vote of no confidence. Only one Korean president, Park Geun-hye, had previously been removed from office through impeachment, which occurred in 2017, also with a unanimous 8–0 decision of the Constitutional Court.{{Cite news |date=4 December 2024 |title=How a presidential impeachment works in South Korea as Yoon faces backlash |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/how-impeach-south-korean-president-2024-12-04/ |work=Reuters|access-date=14 December 2024}} Before being impeached himself, Yoon assisted in the prosecution of Park.{{Cite web |last1=Yoonjung |first1=Seo|last2=Bae|first2=Gawon|last3=Valerio|first3=Mike|last4=Yeung|first4=Jessie |date=4 April 2025 |title=South Korea's impeached president is removed from office, four months after declaring martial law |url=https://www.cnn.com/2025/04/03/asia/yoon-impeachment-verdict-south-korea-intl-hnk/index.html |access-date=6 April 2025 |website=CNN |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=4 April 2025 |title=Press Review - South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol is ousted. What comes next? |url=https://www.france24.com/en/tv-shows/press-review/20250404-south-korean-president-yoon-suk-yeol-is-ousted-what-comes-next |access-date=6 April 2025 |website=France 24 |language=en}} Roh Moo-hyun was impeached in 2004 on accusations of illegal electioneering, incompetence, and economic mismanagement. However, the Constitutional Court cleared him of two infractions and deemed the remaining charge not serious enough to warrant removal, allowing him to remain in office.{{Cite news |date=14 May 2004 |title=S. Korean court reinstatesRoh (sic) as president |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna4973410 |access-date=14 December 2024 |work=NBC News |language=en |agency=Associated Press |archive-date=4 December 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231204205648/https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna4973410 |url-status=live }}

=Impeachment procedure=

The procedure for impeachment is set out in the 10th Constitution of South Korea in 1987. Article 65, Clause 1, specifies that the National Assembly may impeach the president, prime minister, or other state officials if they violate the constitution or other laws while performing official duties.{{cite constitution |article=65 |clause=1 |polity=South Korea |date=1987 }}{{Cite journal |last=Mosler |first=Hannes B. |date=2017 |title=The Institution of Presidential Impeachment in South Korea, 1992–2017 |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/26429313 |journal=Verfassung und Recht in Übersee / Law and Politics in Africa, Asia and Latin America |volume=50 |issue=2 |pages=119–120 |doi=10.5771/0506-7286-2017-2-111 |jstor=26429313 |issn=0506-7286|url-access=subscription }}

For an impeachment motion against a sitting president to pass, a majority of the National Assembly must propose it, and a two-thirds supermajority{{snd}}200 out of 300 members{{snd}}must vote in favor.{{Cite news |last=Rashid |first=Raphael |date=5 December 2024 |title=How South Korea's impeachment process works after Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law bid |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/dec/05/how-south-koreas-impeachment-process-works-after-yoon-suk-yeols-martial-law-bid |access-date=6 December 2024 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}} Once passed, the individual is immediately suspended from their duties pending a ruling by the Constitutional Court of Korea. The scope of impeachment is limited to removal from public office, with no further penalties imposed through this process.{{Cite news |last=Butts |first=Dylan |date=4 December 2024 |title=South Korean President Yoon faces impeachment: How did we get here? |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2024/12/05/south-korean-president-yoon-faces-impeachment-how-did-we-get-here-.html |access-date=5 December 2024 |work=CNBC}}

According to the Constitutional Court Act passed in 1988, the Constitutional Court must render a decision within 180 days after it receives any case for adjudication, including impeachment cases. If the respondent has already left office before the decision, the case is dismissed. Formal removal of the president requires six of the nine justices voting in favor. Due to one vacancy,{{cite web|title=崔대행 '헌법재판관 2인 임명'에…대통령실 일괄 사의표명 |date=January 2025 |trans-title=Korean News- 'Appointment of 2 Constitutional Court Justices'... Presidential Office Announces Mass Resignation|lang=ko|url=https://www.indifocus.kr/63831}} President Yoon Suk Yeol's removal needed six out of eight judges to vote to dismiss him. Article 23 of the Constitutional Court Act requires at least seven justices for deliberation.

If the National Assembly impeaches the president, the president is immediately suspended from office, with the prime minister assuming the role of acting president. In the event of the president's resignation or removal by the Constitutional Court, an early presidential election is required to be held within 60 days. During this interim period, the prime minister continues to serve as acting president until the election of a new president.

=Previous calls to impeach Yoon=

In July 2024, an online petition started on the National Assembly's website calling for Yoon's impeachment gathered over a million signatures, with all petitions with over 50,000 signatures required under law to be reviewed by a parliamentary committee. The website crashed, with over 22,000 people concurrently waiting to access the website with an estimated wait time of 30 minutes.{{Cite news |last=Cai |first=Jenny |date=2 July 2024 |title=Online petition to impeach South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol crashes as over 800,000 flock to website |url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-07-02/south-korea-president-impeach-petition/104046548 |access-date=9 December 2024 |work=ABC News |language=en-AU}}{{Cite news |date=3 July 2024 |title=Over 1 m citizens demand President Yoon's impeachment in online petition |url=https://www.chosun.com/english/2024/07/04/ZOT76TJ4DBEBPDLWIDRDHQINYY/ |access-date=9 December 2024 |work=The Chosun Daily |language=en |archive-date=9 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241209203045/https://www.chosun.com/english/2024/07/04/ZOT76TJ4DBEBPDLWIDRDHQINYY/ |url-status=live }} In November 2024, over 3,000 professors and researchers at various universities signed a letter asking Yoon to resign.{{Cite news |last=김 |first=휘란 |date=14 November 2024 |script-title=ko:'권력 사유화 윤석열 퇴진' 고려대·국민대 교수들도 시국선언 |trans-title='Privatizing Power, Yoon Seok-yeol, Step Down' Professors from Korea University and Kookmin University Also Declare Current Affairs |url=https://news.jtbc.co.kr/article/NB12223102 |access-date=28 November 2024 |work=JTBC |language=ko |archive-date=1 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241201162553/https://news.jtbc.co.kr/article/NB12223102 |url-status=live }} One interviewer speculated that the letter had received the highest number of signatures from academics since protests during the Park Geun-hye administration.{{Cite news |last=Lee |first=Hae-rin |date=23 November 2024 |title=Over 3,000 university professors demand President Yoon Suk Yeol's resignation |url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2024/11/281_386904.html |access-date=24 November 2024 |work=The Korea Times |language=en |archive-date=24 November 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241124025255/https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2024/11/281_386904.html |url-status=live }} On 28 November, 1,466 South Korean Catholic priests also called for Yoon to be impeached, issuing a statement titled "How could a person be like this" ({{Korean|hangul=어째서 사람이 이 모양인가|labels=no}}), which claimed that he is a puppet of private interests who has no idea what he does or who he is and who had handed over the authority entrusted to him by the people to his wife.{{Cite news |date=28 November 2024 |script-title=ko:'윤석열, 사람이 어째서 그 모양인가'..천주교 사제 1466명 시국선언 |trans-title='Yoon Seok-yeol, why is he like that?' 1,466 Catholic priests declare their stance on the current situation |url=https://imnews.imbc.com/news/2024/society/article/6660796_36438.html |access-date=28 November 2024 |work=MBC |language=ko |archive-date=3 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241203043932/https://imnews.imbc.com/news/2024/society/article/6660796_36438.html |url-status=live }}

=Martial law declaration=

On 3 December, Yoon declared martial law in South Korea, stating that martial law was necessary to defend the country from anti-state forces.{{Cite news |last=곽민서 |date=2024-12-03 |title=[전문] 尹대통령 비상계엄 선포 담화 {{!}} 연합뉴스 |url=https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20241203158900001 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20241225171022/https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20241203158900001 |archive-date=2024-12-25 |access-date=2025-04-10 |work=연합뉴스 |language=ko-KR}} Military and police forces attempted to prevent legislators from entering the National Assembly Proceeding Hall, causing clashes between the security forces, protesters, and legislative aides. All 190 legislators who were present in the chamber unanimously voted to demand the lifting of martial law, forcing Yoon to lift martial law around 04:00 KST on 4 December.

Impeachment

=First motion=

scope="col" style="width: 100px;" \| Choice ! scope="col" style="width: 100px;" \| Votes
class="wikitable" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;" \|+ First motion to impeach Yoon
scope="row" {{yes\|{{tick}} Yes}} \| rowspan='4" \| Not counted 195 (65%)
scope="row" {{no\|{{cross}} No}}
scope="row" \| Abstentions
scope="row" \| Invalid
scope="row" \| Not voting \| 105 (35%)
colspan="2" \| Impeachment unsuccessful

Following the martial law declaration, all six opposition parties{{snd}}the Democratic Party (DPK), Rebuilding Korea Party, New Reform Party, Progressive Party, Basic Income Party, and Social Democratic Party{{snd}}submitted the motion to impeach Yoon during a plenary session of the National Assembly on 4 December. The vote was set for 7 December.{{Cite news |last=Lee |first=Wonju |date=4 December 2024 |title=Main opposition seeks vote on Yoon impeachment motion Saturday |url=https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20241205006451315?section=national/politics |work=Yonhap News Agency |archive-date=7 December 2024 |access-date=6 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241207093429/https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20241205006451315?section=national/politics |url-status=live }}

Following an emergency meeting of the PPP, its leader, Han Dong-hoon, initially announced the party's unanimous opposition to the impeachment efforts.{{Cite news |date=5 December 2024 |title=South Korea's ruling party to fight Yoon impeachment as president clings to power |url=https://www.france24.com/en/asia-pacific/20241205-south-korea-s-ruling-party-says-it-will-block-impeachment-motion-against-president-yoon |access-date=6 December 2024 |work=France 24 |language=en |archive-date=6 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241206020743/https://www.france24.com/en/asia-pacific/20241205-south-korea-s-ruling-party-says-it-will-block-impeachment-motion-against-president-yoon |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last1=Lee |first1=Joyce |last2=Jin |first2=Hyunjoo |date=4 December 2024 |title=South Korean ruling party to oppose Yoon impeachment after martial law debacle |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/south-korean-ruling-party-oppose-yoons-impeachment-2024-12-04/ |access-date=7 December 2024 |work=Reuters}}{{Cite news |date=4 December 2024 |title=S. Korea's Ruling People Power Party Chief Asks President To Leave Party |url=https://www.barrons.com/news/s-korea-s-ruling-people-power-party-chief-asks-president-to-leave-party-2940a9d9 |work=Barron's |agency=Agence France-Presse}} However, on 6 December, Han revealed that the PPP had received evidence indicating that Yoon had ordered Defense Counterintelligence Commander Yeo In-hyung to arrest key politicians, including Han himself,{{Cite news |last1=Ng |first1=Kelly |last2=Bicker |first2=Laura |last3=Marsh |first3=Nick |date=6 December 2024 |title=South Korea: President Yoon's arrest list included own party leader |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy8y7ggm89lo |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241206101046/https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cy8y7ggm89lo |archive-date=6 December 2024 |access-date=6 December 2024 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}} on "anti-state charges" during martial law and detain them in Gwacheon, prompting Han to call on Yoon to "suspend his duties soon" and warning that citizens could be in "great danger" if Yoon remained in office.{{Cite news |last=Choe |first=Sang-Hun |date=5 December 2024 |title=Head of South Korean President's Party Calls for His Impeachment |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/05/world/asia/south-korea-yoon-impeachment.html |access-date=7 December 2024 |work=The New York Times |archive-date=6 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241206173802/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/05/world/asia/south-korea-yoon-impeachment.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last=Lim |first=Jeong-Won |date=6 December 2024 |title=PPP leader calls for Yoon's 'immediate suspension from duty' |url=https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2024-12-06/national/politics/PPP-leader-calls-for-Yoons-immediate-suspension-from-duty/2194336 |access-date=6 December 2024 |work=Korea JoongAng Daily |language=en |archive-date=6 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241206170532/https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2024-12-06/national/politics/PPP-leader-calls-for-Yoons-immediate-suspension-from-duty/2194336 |url-status=live }}

Hours before the National Assembly convened on 7 December, Yoon apologized for declaring martial law, describing it as "desperate decision made by me, the president, as the final authority responsible for state affairs" and promising there would not be a second declaration of martial law.{{Cite news |last1=Lee |first1=Juhyun |last2=Gallo |first2=William |date=7 December 2024 |title=Ahead of impeachment vote, Yoon apologizes for anxiety over martial law decree |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/ahead-of-impeachment-vote-yoon-apologizes-for-anxiety-over-martial-law-decree-/7890651.html |work=Voice of America |archive-date=7 December 2024 |access-date=7 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241207202930/https://www.voanews.com/a/ahead-of-impeachment-vote-yoon-apologizes-for-anxiety-over-martial-law-decree-/7890651.html |url-status=live }} He also pledged to delegate his political functions to the PPP.{{Cite web |last=Son |first=Ji-hyoung |date=7 December 2024 |title=Uncertainty looms over Yoon's plans to delegate power to party |url=https://news.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20241207050035 |access-date=7 December 2024 |website=The Korea Herald |language=en |archive-date=10 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241210100055/https://news.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20241207050035 |url-status=live }} DPK leader and main opposition leader Lee Jae-myung called the apology "disappointing" and insisted on Yoon's resignation or impeachment.{{Cite news |last=Chang |first=Dong-woo |date=7 December 2024 |title=Main opposition says Yoon's apology 'disappointing,' no option remains other than resignation or impeachment |url=https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20241207001251320 |work=Yonhap News Agency |archive-date=8 December 2024 |access-date=7 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241208053028/https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20241207001251320 |url-status=live }} He also criticized Yoon's power-sharing arrangement with the PPP as "destroying the constitutional order",{{Cite news |last=Kim |first=Seung-yeon |date=8 December 2024 |title=DP leader accuses ruling party, PM of 'destroying constitutional order' |url=https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20241208003053320 |work=Yonhap News Agency |archive-date=8 December 2024 |access-date=8 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241208173602/https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20241208003053320 |url-status=live }} while DPK Floor Leader Park Chan-dae called the arrangement a "second coup".{{Cite news |date=9 December 2024 |title=South Korea's opposition accuse ruling party of staging 'second coup' by refusing to impeach Yoon |url=https://www.france24.com/en/asia-pacific/20241209-south-korea-opposition-ruling-party-coup |work=France 24 |archive-date=10 December 2024 |access-date=10 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241210035617/https://www.france24.com/en/asia-pacific/20241209-south-korea-opposition-ruling-party-coup |url-status=live }} Prior to the impeachment vote, a motion was discussed on whether to launch a special counsel investigation on Yoon's wife Kim Keon-hee but ultimately failed due to opposition by the PPP.{{Cite news |last=Kim |first=Arin |date=7 December 2024 |title=How Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment bill failed |url=https://news.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20241207050037 |work=The Korea Herald}}

{{Multiple image

| total_width = 300

| image1 = Ahn Cheol-soo March 2023 (cropped).jpg

| image2 = 김예지 의원 (3x4).jpg

| footer =

| alt1 = Ahn Cheol-soo speaking

| alt2 = Kim Yea-ji with a neutral expression

| caption1 = Ahn Cheol-soo was the only PPP lawmaker to not leave the chamber before voting.

| caption2 = {{Ill|Kim Yea-ji (politician)|lt=Kim Yea-ji|ko|김예지 (1980년)}} was one of two PPP lawmakers who left the chamber but later returned.

}}

Before voting began, all PPP lawmakers except one, Ahn Cheol-soo, left the voting chamber, meaning the bill would be unlikely to pass.{{Cite news |date=7 December 2024 |title=Impeachment vote can proceed – but there's little point |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/live/c205634nw13t?post=asset%3A7aac574c-d829-42f6-bb12-a6e22b9203f8#post |work=BBC News}} This came amid the possibility of PPP lawmakers deviating from the party's position through the secret balloting process.{{Cite news |last=Kim |first=Rahn |date=7 December 2024 |title=Ruling party faces harsher criticism for boycotting impeachment vote |url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2024/12/356_387904.html |work=The Korea Times |archive-date=7 December 2024 |access-date=7 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241207164318/https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2024/12/356_387904.html |url-status=live }} {{Ill|Kim Yea-ji (politician)|lt=Kim Yea-ji|ko|김예지 (1980년)}} left but later returned;{{Cite news |date=7 December 2024 |title=One ruling party MP returns to chamber |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/live/c205634nw13t?post=asset%3Ad8fce9a5-2b49-47ed-a64d-015c1f329827#post |access-date=14 December 2024 |work=BBC News}}{{Cite news |date=7 December 2024 |title=Two more ruling party MPs come back |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/live/c205634nw13t?post=asset%3Af3f45945-1000-4845-a0a1-87d42d5d144b#post |access-date=14 December 2024 |work=BBC News |archive-date=14 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241214144912/https://www.bbc.com/news/live/c205634nw13t?post=asset:f3f45945-1000-4845-a0a1-87d42d5d144b#post |url-status=live }} Kim Sang-wook returned to vote but said he voted against impeachment.{{Cite news |date=7 December 2024 |title=Ruling party MP says he returned to vote against impeachment |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/live/c205634nw13t?post=asset%3A2df73124-0dd1-43e5-881d-ad9b4fb446ae#post |work=BBC News}} Protesters attempted to block the exits of the National Assembly Proceeding Hall as PPP lawmakers left, calling the leaving lawmakers "cowards" and encouraging them to vote.{{Cite news |last=Mackenzie |first=Jean |date=7 December 2024 |title=Enormous anger outside voting chamber as ruling party MPs leave |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/live/c205634nw13t?post=asset%3A999cd9af-b577-45ab-b897-8848463017a3#post |work=BBC News |archive-date=9 December 2024 |access-date=7 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241209103127/https://www.bbc.com/news/live/c205634nw13t?post=asset%3A999cd9af-b577-45ab-b897-8848463017a3#post |url-status=live }} Rebuilding Korea Party lawmaker Kim Joon-hyung said that he expected voting to go on until 00:00 KST on 8 December at the latest;{{Cite news |date=7 December 2024 |title='Listen to the people,' opposition MP tells ruling party |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/live/c205634nw13t?post=asset%3Abac8debb-cb84-42c5-8837-7461bb7dfe96#post |access-date=14 December 2024 |work=BBC News |archive-date=14 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241214144918/https://www.bbc.com/news/live/c205634nw13t?post=asset:bac8debb-cb84-42c5-8837-7461bb7dfe96#post |url-status=live }} the deadline to vote was 00:48 KST, three days after the motion was introduced.{{Cite news |last=Thomas |first=Natalie |date=7 December 2024 |title=A path is being cleared to the chamber |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/live/c205634nw13t?post=asset%3A8e815fb6-1e0b-4dbf-95a5-79a421a7e179#post |work=BBC News}}

National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik closed voting early at 21:20 KST and initially announced the start of counting shortly after, but then announced that votes would not be counted due to failing to reach the quorum, with only 195 members present of the 200 needed.{{Cite web |title=Vote to impeach South Korea's President Yoon Suk Yeol fails after boycott by ruling party MPs |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/live/c205634nw13t?post=asset:8028165c-310c-4fd3-8426-74177ce8630b#post |access-date=7 December 2024 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}{{Cite news |last1=Kim |first1=Cynthia |last2=Park |first2=Ju-min |last3=Lee |first3=Joyce |date=7 December 2024 |title=South Korea's Yoon survives martial law impeachment move after his party boycotts vote |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/south-korea-president-yoon-address-nation-ahead-impeachment-vote-2024-12-07/ |url-access=registration |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241210155113/https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/south-korea-president-yoon-address-nation-ahead-impeachment-vote-2024-12-07/ |archive-date=10 December 2024 |work=Reuters}}

=Between motions=

Following the first impeachment motion, PPP Leader Han Dong-hoon said that the PPP would continue to "push for the president's orderly retreat to minimize chaos",{{Cite news |last=Kim |first=Eun-jung |date=7 December 2024 |title=PPP leader vows 'orderly retreat' of Yoon after impeachment motion scrapped |url=https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20241207006200315 |access-date=14 December 2024 |work=Yonhap News Agency |archive-date=12 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241212093059/https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20241207006200315 |url-status=live }} while PPP Floor Leader Choo Kyung-ho resigned, saying that he would take responsibility for "the third presidential impeachment vote in [South Korea's] constitutional history".{{Cite news |date=7 December 2024 |title=PPP floor leader resigns amid impeachment vote fallout |url=https://www.chosun.com/english/national-en/2024/12/07/E6G77T23QFFHTIQHGGK5RZZWUE/ |work=The Chosun Daily |archive-date=12 December 2024 |access-date=7 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241212190538/https://www.chosun.com/english/national-en/2024/12/07/E6G77T23QFFHTIQHGGK5RZZWUE/ |url-status=live }} Prime Minister Han Duck-soo (Independent) said that he would "make all-out efforts to promptly stabilize the current situation".{{Cite news |date=7 December 2024 |title=PM vows all-out efforts to promptly stabilize situation as Yoon impeachment motion scrapped |url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2024/12/356_387901.html |work=The Korea Times}} The DPK said that it would continue to file impeachment motions against Yoon on a weekly basis.{{Cite news |last=Kim |first=Boram |date=7 December 2024 |title=Main opposition vows to push for Yoon impeachment every week |url=https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20241207006051320 |access-date=14 December 2024 |work=Yonhap News Agency |archive-date=13 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241213054133/https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20241207006051320 |url-status=live }}

On 8 December, former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun was arrested by prosecutors on suspicion of committing insurrection by advising President Yoon to declare martial law and sending troops into the National Assembly to seize the legislature.{{Cite web |date=8 December 2024 |title=Prosecution arrests ex-defense minister over treason charges |url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2024/12/113_387908.html |access-date=7 December 2024 |website=The Korea Times |language=en |archive-date=8 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241208100645/https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2024/12/113_387908.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |last=Son |first=Ji-hyoung |date=8 December 2024 |title=[Breaking] Ex-Defense Minister arrested for insurrection, abuse of authority |url=https://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20241208050001 |access-date=8 December 2024 |website=The Korea Herald |language=en |archive-date=7 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241207235907/http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20241208050001 |url-status=live }} That same day, Han Dong-hoon said that the PPP had "effectively obtained (Yoon's) promise to step down" in exchange for the party blocking his impeachment.{{Cite web |date=8 December 2024 |title=South Korea president to resign despite surviving impeachment vote, party says |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20241208-south-korea-ex-defence-chief-reportedly-arrested-as-president-hangs-on |access-date=8 December 2024 |website=France 24 |language=en |archive-date=8 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241208062339/https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20241208-south-korea-ex-defence-chief-reportedly-arrested-as-president-hangs-on |url-status=live }} A PPP special task force proposed that Yoon leave office in February or March 2025 and called for a snap presidential election to be held in April or May.{{cite news |title=South Korean police blocked from raid on president's office |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20241211-south-korea-police-raid-president-s-office |access-date=11 December 2024 |work=France 24 |date=11 December 2024 |language=en}}

On 10 December, the National Assembly passed a bill creating a permanent special counsel to investigate Yoon on charges of treason relating to his martial law declaration. The motion passed with 210 MPs, including 23 PPP members, in favor after the party allowed its members to vote according to their individual decision.{{Cite news |last=Kwak |first=Yeon-soo |date=10 December 2024 |title=National Assembly passes permanent special counsel probe bill into Yoon's treason charges |url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2024/12/356_388133.html |access-date=10 December 2024 |work=The Korea Times |language=en |archive-date=10 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241210193651/https://koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2024/12/356_388133.html |url-status=live }} On 12 December, Yoon issued a statement vowing to "fight to the end", resisting the push for his resignation.{{cite news |last1=Choe |first1=Sang-Hun |date=11 December 2024 |title=In Defiant Speech, South Korea's President Defends Martial Law Decree |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/11/world/asia/yoon-south-korea-martial-law.html |work=The New York Times |archive-date=12 December 2024 |access-date=12 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241212061541/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/11/world/asia/yoon-south-korea-martial-law.html |url-status=live }} Following Yoon's statement, Han Dong-hoon called for Yoon's impeachment and convened an ethics committee to discuss Yoon's expulsion from the PPP.{{cite news |last1=Chae |first1=Yun-hwan |date=12 December 2024 |title=Ruling party chief throws support for Yoon impeachment |url=https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20241212003152315 |work=Yonhap News Agency |archive-date=13 December 2024 |access-date=12 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241213131841/https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20241212003152315 |url-status=live }}

=Second motion=

class="wikitable" style="float: right; clear: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;" \|+ Second motion to impeach Yoon
scope="col" style="width: 100px;" \| Choice ! scope="col" style="width: 100px;" \| Votes
scope="row" {{yes\|{{tick}} Yes}} \| 204 (68%)
scope="row" {{no\|{{cross}} No}} \| 85 (28.3%)
scope="row" \| Abstentions \| 3 (1%)
scope="row" \| Invalid \| 8 (2.7%)
scope="row" \| Not voting \| 0
colspan="2" \| Impeachment successful

class="wikitable" style="float: right; clear: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"

|+ Second motion to impeach Yoon

scope="col" style="width: 100px;" | Choice

! scope="col" style="width: 100px;" | Votes

scope="row" {{yes|{{tick}} Yes}}

| 204 (68%)

scope="row" {{no|{{cross}} No}}

| 85 (28.3%)

scope="row" | Abstentions

| 3 (1%)

scope="row" | Invalid

| 8 (2.7%)

scope="row" | Not voting

| 0

colspan="2" | Impeachment successful

The DPK filed its second motion to impeach Yoon on 12 December, with the vote scheduled for 14 December 2024.{{cite news |last1=Lee |first1=Haye-ah |date=12 December 2024 |title=Main opposition files new motion to impeach Yoon over martial law declaration |url=https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20241211009451315 |work=Yonhap News Agency |archive-date=13 December 2024 |access-date=12 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241213211204/https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20241211009451315 |url-status=live }}

Prior to the vote, seven PPP lawmakers expressed their intention to participate,{{cite news |last1=Yi |first1=Wonju |date=12 December 2024 |title=Main opposition files new motion to impeach Yoon over martial law declaration |url=https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20241211009400315 |work=Yonhap News Agency |archive-date=13 December 2024 |access-date=12 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241213001148/https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20241211009400315 |url-status=live }} including Ahn Cheol-soo, Kim Yea-ji and Kim Sang-wook, who participated in the previous voting, as well as Bae Hyun-jin, who had not expressed her intentions in the next vote. On 10 December, Kim Sang-wook, who voted against the impeachment motion, announced that he would support impeachment and apologized for his previous decision.{{Cite web |date=10 December 2024 |title=Ruling party's Bae Hyun-jin to join impeachment vote this week, signaling crack in party unity |url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2024/12/356_388136.html |access-date=10 December 2024 |website=The Korea Times |language=en |archive-date=10 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241210102149/https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2024/12/356_388136.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web |last=Mackenzie |first=Jean |date=13 December 2024 |title=Net closing in on South Korea's president as MPs get death threats over impeachment vote |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cvg7pv278ezo |website=BBC News}}

Before the vote began on 14 December, Han Dong-hoon announced that while his party opposed impeachment, it would engage in the vote, encouraging lawmakers to vote "according to their conscience and beliefs rather than following partisan interests".{{Cite news |date=14 December 2024 |title=PPP says it will participate in the impeachment vote |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/live/c1wq025v421t?post=asset%3A3ce6c1ae-a9ea-4315-809a-2e6bc503ac98#post |access-date=14 December 2024 |work=BBC News |archive-date=14 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241214144920/https://www.bbc.com/news/live/c1wq025v421t?post=asset:3ce6c1ae-a9ea-4315-809a-2e6bc503ac98#post |url-status=live }} Shortly after 16:00 KST, with six PPP members present, speaker Woo Won-shik announced the beginning of the vote, saying "I hope every one of you will participate in the vote".{{Cite news |date=14 December 2024 |title=Opposition MPs seated in the chamber |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/live/c1wq025v421t?post=asset%3A4cef86c3-145a-4e10-870f-c23ff51e006a#post |access-date=14 December 2024 |work=BBC News}}{{Cite news |date=14 December 2024 |title=Impeachment vote session begins |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/live/c1wq025v421t?post=asset%3Aa65a6cac-e4e4-449b-a410-6618bd63557f#post |access-date=14 December 2024 |work=BBC News |archive-date=14 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241214144911/https://www.bbc.com/news/live/c1wq025v421t?post=asset:a65a6cac-e4e4-449b-a410-6618bd63557f#post |url-status=live }} BBC News described the second vote as "a stark contrast from last weekend", citing the lack of a PPP boycott.{{Cite news |date=14 December 2024 |title=Lawmakers begin voting on impeachment |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/live/c1wq025v421t?post=asset%3A766704c2-8526-420b-a8ff-75aa151bccb4#post |access-date=14 December 2024 |work=BBC News}}

File:20241214 ROK NA Speaker Woo Won Shik signing the resolution to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol 01.jpg

Around 16:50 KST on 14 December, Woo announced that all 300 members had voted and vote counting had begun.{{Cite news |date=14 December 2024 |title=Vote count begins |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/live/c1wq025v421t?post=asset%3A97cdf6fc-3e9f-48f9-99ed-b439f41e4d13#post |access-date=14 December 2024 |work=BBC News}} As votes were counted, protesters sang "March for the Beloved", an anthem commemorating those killed during the Gwangju Uprising, and "Into the New World" by Girls' Generation, which was also used during the impeachment of Park Geun-hye.{{Cite news |date=14 December 2024 |title=Protesters sing traditional pro-democracy anthem as votes get counted |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/live/c1wq025v421t?post=asset%3A37fd7422-af1d-4ee5-b23f-0e069329c13e#post |access-date=14 December 2024 |work=BBC News}}

The National Assembly voted to impeach Yoon, with 204 of 300 lawmakers supporting impeachment.{{cite news |last1=Wong |first1=Tessa |last2=Mackenzie |first2=Jean |last3=Kwon |first3=Jake |last4=Choi |first4=Leehyun |title=South Korea's president impeached by parliament after mass protests over short-lived martial law |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/live/c1wq025v421t |access-date=14 December 2024 |work=BBC News |date=14 December 2024 |archive-date=14 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241214051854/https://www.bbc.com/news/live/c1wq025v421t |url-status=live }} Among those who voted in favor were 12 members of the PPP, exceeding the seven who had previously stated their intention to do so. Eighty-five lawmakers voted against impeachment, while three others abstained. Eight votes were classified as invalid.{{cite news |title=Cheers erupt, heads hang in defeat as National Assembly impeaches president |url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2024/12/356_388450.html |access-date=15 December 2024 |work=The Korea Times |date=15 December 2024 |archive-date=14 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241214185636/https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2024/12/356_388450.html |url-status=live }} Shortly afterwards, Yoon's suspension from the presidency went into effect at 19:24 KST,{{cite news |title=Yoon suspended from presidential duties after impeachment vote |url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2024/12/356_388457.html |access-date=15 December 2024 |work=The Korea Times |date=15 December 2024 |archive-date=15 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241215002050/https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2024/12/356_388457.html |url-status=live }} after his office received a copy of the impeachment resolution.{{cite news |title=(ROUNDUP) Nat'l Assembly votes to impeach Yoon over failed martial law bid |url=https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20241213009559315 |access-date=15 December 2024 |work=Yonhap News Agency |date=14 December 2024 |archive-date=15 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241215010203/https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20241213009559315 |url-status=live }}

File:Prime Minister Han Duck-soo meets with Jeju Governor Oh Young-hun 20240516 (01) (cropped).jpg became acting president after Yoon's impeachment; he would be impeached himself soon thereafter.]]

Following the passage of the second impeachment motion, Yoon addressed the nation, acknowledging his suspension while pledging to "do my best for the nation until the end".{{Cite news |date=14 December 2024 |title=Yoon vows to do his best until the end after impeachment vote |url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2024/12/356_388449.html |access-date=15 December 2024 |work=The Korea Times |archive-date=14 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241214122320/https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2024/12/356_388449.html |url-status=live }} Five members of the PPP's Supreme Council resigned to take responsibility for its approval, prompting the formation of an emergency response committee system to lead the party in accordance with its regulations.{{Cite news |last=Kwak |first=Yeon-soo |date=15 December 2024 |title=Ruling party crumbles after passage of motion to impeach president |url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2024/12/113_388461.html |access-date=15 December 2024 |work=The Korea Times}} On 16 December, PPP leader Han Dong-hoon also resigned, acknowledging that Yoon's impeachment was "painful" while stating that he did not regret supporting it.{{Cite news |date=16 December 2024 |title=Han Dong-hoon steps down as ruling party reels from Yoon impeachment |url=https://news.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20241216050077 |access-date=16 December 2024 |work=The Korea Herald}} The DPK said that the motion's success was "a historic victory for democracy" and pledged to continue investigating Yoon for declaring martial law.{{Cite news |date=14 December 2024 |title=Main opposition hails Yoon's impeachment motion passage as 'victory for people, democracy' |url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2024/12/356_388439.html |access-date=15 December 2024 |work=The Korea Times}}

With Yoon's suspension as president, his prime minister, Han Duck-soo became acting president. Amid Han being asked by police for questioning in its investigation of martial law, DPK leader Lee Jae-myung said that the party would not move to impeach Han for the time being to avoid "confusion in state affairs". Lee also called for the formation of a consultative body between the National Assembly and the government to stabilize state affairs.{{Cite news |last=Jung |first=Min-kyung |date=15 December 2024 |title=Opposition chief proposes parliamentary-gov't consultative body on stabilizing state affairs |url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2024/12/356_388478.html?utm_source=taboola |access-date=15 December 2024 |work=The Korea Times}} On 20 December, both the PPP and the DPK agreed to a proposal by Speaker Woo Won-shik creating a joint consultative body to discuss issues regarding national security and the economy.{{Cite news |last=Kim |first=Arin |date=20 December 2024 |title=Ruling party agrees to join trilateral body to fill Yoon's power vacuum |url=https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10020599 |access-date=20 December 2024 |work=The Korea Times}}

=Related motions=

{{Multiple image

| total_width = 300

| align = left

| image1 = Kim Yong-hyun ( 김용현 ) (2024) (cropped).jpg

| image2 = Lee Sang-min 20240731.jpg

| footer =

| alt1 = Kim Yong-hyun speaking

| alt2 = Lee Sang-min at an event

| caption1 = Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun

| caption2 = Interior Minister Lee Sang-min

}}

Aside from Yoon, several officials were either impeached or threatened with impeachment over their involvement in the declaration of martial law. These include Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun,{{cite news |date=4 December 2024 |title=Defense minister faces treason charges for proposing declaration of martial law |url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2024/12/251_387712.html |access-date=4 December 2024 |website=The Korea Times |archive-date=4 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241204115257/https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2024/12/251_387712.html |url-status=live }} who resigned on 5 December,{{Cite news |last=Kim |first=Eun-jung |date=5 December 2024 |title=Yoon accepts defense minister's resignation amid martial law chaos |url=https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20241205002451315?section=national/politics |access-date=5 December 2024 |website=Yonhap News Agency |language=en |archive-date=8 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241208103036/https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20241205002451315?section=national/politics |url-status=live }} and Interior Minister Lee Sang-min, whose impeachment motion was filed by the DPK on 7 December.{{Cite web |last=Ahn |first=Sung-mi |date=7 December 2024 |title=Main opposition files impeachment motion against Interior Minister Lee Sang-min |url=https://news.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20241207050019 |access-date=7 December 2024 |website=The Korea Herald |language=en |archive-date=9 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241209212526/https://news.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20241207050019 |url-status=live }} Lee resigned the next day on 8 December.{{Cite news |date=8 December 2024 |title=Interior Minister Lee Sang-min steps down amid martial law turmoil |url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2024/12/113_387938.html |access-date=9 December 2024 |work=The Korea Times |language=en |archive-date=8 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241208123911/https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2024/12/113_387938.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |last1=Park |first1=Jin-seong |last2=Park |first2=Su-hyeon |date=8 December 2024 |title=Interior minister linked to martial law allegations resigns; Yoon approves |url=https://www.chosun.com/english/national-en/2024/12/08/QTTTIJCQMNBAVLCMYQ4XC4LJPY/ |access-date=9 December 2024 |work=The Chosun Ilbo |language=en |archive-date=8 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241208130143/https://www.chosun.com/english/national-en/2024/12/08/QTTTIJCQMNBAVLCMYQ4XC4LJPY/ |url-status=live }} On 12 December, the National Assembly passed impeachment motions against Justice Minister Park Sung-jae and National Police Agency Commissioner Cho Ji-ho.{{cite news |date=12 December 2024 |title=Ruling party chief supports impeaching president |url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2024/12/113_388312.html |access-date=12 December 2024 |website=The Korea Times |archive-date=12 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241212104251/https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2024/12/113_388312.html |url-status=live }} On 10 April 2025, Park Sung-jae's impeachment was overturned by the Constitutional Court.{{cite news |date=10 April 2025 |title=Constitutional Court rejects justice minister's impeachment over martial law involvement |url=https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250410005700315 |access-date=10 April 2025 |website=Yonhap News Agency }}

After Yoon's impeachment, the DPK announced that it would be taking legal action against Yoon's chief legal adviser Seok Dong-hyun after he denied at a press conference on 19 December that Yoon intended to have politicians arrested during martial law and downplayed the incursion of soldiers into the National Assembly.{{Cite web |last=Kim |first=Arin |date=20 December 2024 |title=Yoon's legal adviser to be sued by Democratic Party for 'advocating insurrection' |url=https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10020540 |access-date=20 December 2024 |website=The Korea Herald |language=en}}

On 24 December, the DPK said that it would seek to impeach acting president Han Duck-soo for vetoing two special counsel bills that sought to investigate President Yoon and his wife Kim Keon-hee over his martial law declaration and charges of corruption.{{Cite news |date=24 December 2024 |title=Opposition party vows to immediately take steps to impeach Han |url=https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20241224004600315 |access-date=24 December 2024 |work=Yonhap News Agency |last=Lee |first=Haye-ah}} The DPK also cited Han blocking the appointment of three nominees to fill vacancies in the Constitutional Court that would hear Yoon's impeachment.{{Cite web |date=26 December 2024 |title=(LEAD) Nat'l Assembly votes in favor of appointment of 3 Constitutional Court judge nominees |url=https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20241226004751315 |access-date=26 December 2024 |website=Yonhap News Agency |language=en |last1=Yi |first1=Wonju }} The motion was filed on 26 December,{{Cite news |date=26 December 2024 |title=S Korea MPs file motion to impeach acting president |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c878rjgv7d2o |access-date=26 December 2024 |work=BBC}} with the plenary vote scheduled on 27 December.{{Cite news |date=26 December 2024 |title=(LEAD) Main opposition submits bill to impeach acting President Han; vote up for Friday |url=https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20241226004752315 |access-date=26 December 2024 |work=Yonhap News Agency |last=Lee |first=Minji}} Prior to the vote on 27 December, Speaker Woo Won-shik determined that a simple majority would suffice to impeach Han, as opposed to a two-thirds majority to impeach a president. The impeachment motion passed, with 192 MPs voting in favor and Han accepting the outcome.{{Cite web |date=27 December 2024 |title=[Breaking] South Korea's parliament votes to impeach acting president; Ruling party vows to challenge its effect |url=https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10032371 |access-date=27 December 2024 |website=The Korea Herald |language=en}} However, the Constitutional Court later rejected Han's impeachment in a 7–1 ruling on 24 March 2025.{{Cite news |last=Kim |first=Da-sol |date=24 March 2025 |title=Court dismisses impeachment of Prime Minister Han Duck-soo |url=https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10448285 |access-date=29 March 2025 |work=The Korea Herald}}{{Cite news |last=Lee |first=Joyce|date=24 March 2025 |title=South Korean court reinstates impeached PM Han Duck-soo as acting president|url= https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/south-koreas-constitutional-court-strikes-down-impeachment-pm-han-duck-soo-2025-03-24/ |access-date=1 April 2025 |work=Reuters}}

On 21 March 2025, the DPK and four other opposition parties submitted a motion in the National Assembly to impeach then-acting president Choi Sang-mok, citing his refusal to appoint justices to the Constitutional Court.{{Cite news |date=21 March 2025 |title=(LEAD) Opposition parties introduce motion to impeach acting President Choi |url=https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250321005751315 |access-date=21 March 2025 |work=Yonhap News Agency |last=Yi |first=Wonju}} The petitioners also charged Choi with abetting Yoon's martial law declaration in December 2024, failing to appoint a National Assembly-backed independent prosecutor to look into possible insurrection by Yoon despite the legislature passing a resolution to do so,{{Cite news |date=21 March 2025 |title=Opposition parties float motion to impeach acting President Choi Sang-mok |url=https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10447164 |access-date=21 March 2025 |work=The Korea Herald |last=Son |first=Ji-hyoung}} and failing to act on the application of a nominee to the Supreme Court of Korea. The motion reached the National Assembly plenary on 2 April, by which time Choi had reverted to his previous position as finance minister following Han Duck-soo's reinstatement as acting president and prime minister by the Constitutional Court on 24 March.{{Cite news |date=2 April 2025 |title=Opposition-led motion to impeach finance minister reported to National Assembly |url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/southkorea/politics/20250402/opposition-led-motion-to-impeach-finance-minister-choi-sang-mok-reported-to-national-assembly |access-date=2 April 2025 |work=The Korea Times}}{{Cite news |date=24 March 2025 |title=Finance minister's unprecedented presidential role comes to end |url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2025/03/356_394832.html |access-date=24 March 2025 |work=The Korea Times |last=Yi |first=Whan-woo}} However, Choi resigned minutes before the chamber was set to vote on the motion on 1 May, prompting the suspension of the proceedings.{{cite web |last1=Kim |first1=Hyun-soo |title=(2nd LD) Finance Minister Choi resigns before parliament reports his impeachment motion |url=https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250501008252320 |website=Yonhap News Agency |date=May 1, 2025 |access-date=May 1, 2025}}

Constitutional Court trial

= Preparations =

The Constitutional Court of Korea has 180 days from the passage of the impeachment motion to review it. At the time of filing the impeachment motion, the court was composed of only six justices; two vacancies were subsequently filled by Choi Sang-mok after nomination by the National Assembly, leaving one vacancy.{{Cite web |last1=Ewe |first1=Koh |last2=Mackenzie |first2=Jean |date=16 December 2024 |title=South Korea court begins Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment trial process |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cx2pl4edk13o |access-date=16 December 2024 |website=BBC |language=en-GB}} It normally has nine members and is required by law to have at least seven to begin hearings.{{Cite web |date=14 December 2024 |title=Constitutional Court's impeachment review faces complicated hurdles |url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2024/12/113_388431.html |access-date=15 December 2024 |website=The Korea Times |language=en |archive-date=15 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241215003838/https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2024/12/113_388431.html |url-status=live }} In addition, two of the six justices have tenures ending within the mandated review period in April 2025, causing additional concerns over quorum. Debates have arisen in the National Assembly on whether acting president Han Duck-soo is entitled to fill the vacant seats, with the DPK supporting it on the grounds that the president only serves to confirm parliamentary nominees{{Cite news |last=Son |first=Ji-hyoung | date=17 December 2024 |title=Parties clash over justice appointments for Yoon Suk Yeol trial |url=https://news.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20241217050038 |access-date=17 December 2024 |work=The Korea Herald |language=en}} and the PPP opposing it on the grounds that an acting president can only appoint justices only in the event of a presidential vacancy, not a suspension of duties.{{Cite news |last=Kim |first=Da-sol | date=19 December 2024 |title=Justices at Constitutional Court hold 1st meeting |url=https://news.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20241219050078 |access-date=19 December 2024 |work=The Korea Herald |language=en}} Yoon's impeachment became the eighth impeachment case in 2024 alone received by the court{{Snd}}the highest number in a single year in South Korean history.{{Cite news |last=Kim |first=Da-sol| date=15 December 2024 |title=Constitutional Court begins review of Yoon's impeachment case |url=https://news.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20241215050037 |access-date=15 December 2024 |work=The Korea Herald |language=en}}

The impeachment motion was submitted to the court on 14 December 2024, and proceedings began on 16 December,{{Cite web |date=14 December 2024 |title=Constitutional Court begins Yoon's impeachment trial process |url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2024/12/356_388452.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241215043948/https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2024/12/356_388452.html |archive-date=15 December 2024 |access-date=15 December 2024 |website=The Korea Times |language=en}} with the court calling the case a "top priority".{{Cite web |last=Kim |first=Da-sol |date=30 December 2024 |title=Majority of justices view impeachment vote on acting president as valid: court |url=https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10120833|access-date=30 December 2024 |website=The Korea Herald |language=en}} On 16 December 2024, the court announced that trial would proceed with the original six justices then on the bench.{{Cite web |date=16 December 2024 |script-title=ko:헌재, 尹 탄핵심판 27일 시작... "6인 체제로 심리 변론 가능" |url=https://www.chosun.com/national/court_law/2024/12/16/2BI742KT45FHVPB2VFNJL4KPZQ/ |access-date=20 December 2024 |website=The Chosun Ilbo |language=ko}} The identity of the presiding justice, typically undisclosed, was revealed to be Justice Jeong Hyeong-sik, a Yoon appointee, due to the gravity of the case.{{Cite web |date=16 December 2024 |script-title=ko:오늘 '尹 탄핵심판' 첫 헌재 재판관 회의...절차·기일 논의 |url=https://www.daejonilbo.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=2173153 |access-date=15 December 2024 |website=대전일보 |language=ko}} Former Korea Communications Commission chair Kim Hong-il was announced as the head of Yoon's legal defense team, while National Assembly Legislation and Judiciary Committee Chair Jung Chung-rae served as the impeachment prosecutor.{{Cite web |date=16 December 2024 |title=Conservative justice to lead Yoon's impeachment trial |url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2024/12/251_388562.html |access-date=16 December 2024 |website=The Korea Times |language=en}} On 26 December, the National Assembly approved a motion to fill the three vacancies in the Constitutional Court, with the PPP not participating in the confirmation vote. However, Acting President Han Duck-soo refused to appoint the nominees, citing the need for a bipartisan consensus. In response, the DPK filed an impeachment motion against Han that same day, which passed in the plenary vote on 27 December, resulting in Han's duty as acting president being suspended until his acquittal by the Constitutional Court on 24 March 2025.{{Cite news |last=Kim |first=Da-sol |date=24 March 2025 |title=Court dismisses impeachment of Prime Minister Han Duck-soo |url=https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10448285 |access-date=23 March 2025 |work=The Korea Herald}} On 31 December, acting president Choi Sang-mok appointed Chung Kyesun and Cho Hanchang to the Constitutional Court as part of efforts to fill up the vacancies.{{Cite news |date=31 December 2024 |title=(2nd LD) Acting President Choi appoints 2 justices to Constitutional Court |url=https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20241231007652315 |access-date=31 December 2024 |work=Yonhap News Agency}} However, he withheld the appointment of a third nominee, Ma Eun-hyuk, which the Constitutional Court ruled was unconstitutional on 27 February 2025.{{Cite web |date=27 February 2025 |title=(LEAD) Constitutional Court rules acting president's non-appointment of justice infringes Nat'l Assembly's right |url=https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250227001951315 |access-date=27 February 2025 |website=Yonhap News Agency |language=en |last=Chae |first=Yun-hwan}}

The first preparatory hearing for the case was held 27 December 2024, with the next hearing occurring on 3 January 2025. The National Assembly was represented in the trial by DPK lawmaker Jung Chung-rae, who is the chair of the assembly's legislation and judiciary committee.{{Cite news |title=Constitutional Court begins president's impeachment trial |url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2024/12/113_389275.html |access-date=27 December 2024 |website=The Korea Times |language=en |last1=Jung |first1=Da-hyun}} Yoon's defense team comprised Bae Bo-yoon, a former Constitutional Court scholar and spokesperson during the impeachment trial of former president Park Geun-hye; Yun Gap-geun, former head of the Daegu High Prosecutors' Office; Bae Jin-han, a former judge and Yoon's classmate at Seoul National University School of Law; and Kim Hong-il, former head of the Korea Communications Commission.{{Cite news |title=Yoon appoints legal defense team for impeachment trial |url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2024/12/356_389228.html |access-date=27 December 2024 |website=The Korea Times |language=en}}

= Withdrawal of insurrection charge =

On 3 January, the National Assembly petitioners removed insurrection charges from the grounds for impeachment to focus on constitutional violations related to the martial law declaration rather than pursuing criminal charges, in order to expedite the case. Park Chan-un, a law professor at Hanyang University, called this a logical move, as the impeachment trial is "fundamentally a 'disciplinary trial' focused on whether Yoon violated the constitution".{{Cite web |last=고한솔,서영지 |date=2025-01-05 |title=내란죄 빼면 탄핵 재의결 필요?…그때그때 다른 권성동의 논리 |url=https://www.hani.co.kr/arti/politics/politics_general/1176443.html |access-date=2025-04-10 |website=한겨레 |language=ko}} The PPP criticized the move, claiming "the move exposed legal flaws in the impeachment motion and thus the motion should be nullified". However, the DPK defended the revision, asserting that since the impeachment trial is not a criminal proceeding, it should focus on violations of the constitution and that "the revision was necessary to expedite court proceedings".{{Cite news |date=5 January 2025 |title=Controversy grows after opposition bloc withdraws insurrection charges from Yoon's impeachment trial |url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2025/01/113_389736.html |access-date=5 January 2025 |work=The Korea Times}} In its final verdict on Yoon's impeachment on 4 April, the Court recognized the withdrawal of the insurrection charges as valid.{{Cite news |date=4 April 2025 |title=(URGENT) Court says withdrawal of insurrection charge from impeachment motion valid |url=https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250404004500315 |access-date=4 April 2025 |work=Yonhap News Agency}}

= Proceedings =

File:Yoon Suk Yeol at the 3rd hearing of impeachment trial at the Constitutional Court on January 21, 2025.jpg

During the 3 January hearing, Yoon's defense team defended the declaration of martial law as a "national emergency situation" and said that its brief duration "did not restrict the people's basic rights". It also said Yoon had immunity from prosecution, citing the Supreme Court of the United States's 2024 ruling in Trump v. United States.{{Cite news |date=3 January 2025 |title=Yoon's team claims immunity from insurrection charges, citing Trump ruling |url=https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250103011400320 |access-date=3 January 2025 |work=Yonhap News Agency}} They also alleged media bias against Yoon but were reprimanded by Justice Cheong Hyung-sik. Meanwhile, the prosecution accused defense lawyers of distorting the nature of the trial and insulting the justices.{{Cite news |date=3 January 2025 |title=Yoon's impeachment trial to formally begin Jan. 14 |url=https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10382607 |access-date=3 January 2025 |work=The Korea Herald}}

Oral arguments for the trial began on 14 January, with another session on 16 January in the event that Yoon fails to appear.{{Cite news |date=3 January 2025 |title=(2nd LD) Constitutional Court to start oral arguments for Yoon's impeachment trial on Jan. 14 |url=https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250102009552315|access-date=3 January 2025 |work=Yonhap News Agency}} A total of five sessions would be held until 4 February, including on 21 and 23 January.{{Cite news |date=14 January 2025 |title=Impeachment trial of South Korean President Yoon begins |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20250114-impeachment-trial-of-south-korean-president-yoon-to-begin |access-date=14 January 2025 |work=France 24}} On 12 January, Yoon's lawyer said that his client would not attend the 14 January hearing, citing safety concerns{{Cite news |date=12 January 2025 |title=(4th LD) Yoon's lawyer says president to be absent from first formal hearing in impeachment trial |url=https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250112000955315 |access-date=12 January 2025 |work=Yonhap News Agency}} and the possibility of him being apprehended by investigators seeking to execute an arrest warrant against him on his way to court.{{Cite news |date=12 January 2025 |title=Yoon's impeachment trial to start Tuesday |url=https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10388447 |access-date=12 January 2025 |work=The Korea Herald}} On 13 January, Yoon's lawyers requested the exclusion of Justice Chung Kyesun from hearing the case, accusing her of progressive leanings and showing her "prediction" for the trials during her confirmation by the National Assembly in December 2024.{{Cite news |date=13 January 2025 |title=(LEAD) Yoon's lawyers demand exclusion of constitutional court justice over fair ruling concern |url=https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250113010251320 |access-date=13 January 2025 |work=Yonhap News Agency}} It also called for the first day of the trial to be moved from 14 January, saying that the impeachment of acting president Han Duck-soo needed to be heard first.{{Cite news |date=13 January 2025 |title=Yoon's lawyers demand exclusion of constitutional court justice over fair ruling concern |url=https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10389412 |access-date=13 January 2025 |work=The Korea Herald}}

The 14 January hearing lasted four minutes before being adjourned due to Yoon's absence.{{Cite news |date=14 January 2025 |title=S Korea begins impeachment trial against suspended president |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cq5g2j8zy95o |access-date=14 January 2025 |work=BBC}} During the session, the court also dismissed the defense's request to exclude Justice Chung Kyesun from hearing the case. It also rejected Yoon's objection to the designated dates for hearings, saying the scheduling followed laws and regulations governing the Constitutional Court, not a criminal court.{{Cite news |date=14 January 2025 |title=(2nd LD) 1st hearing of Yoon's impeachment trial ends after 4 minutes due to his absence |url=https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250114001352315 |access-date=14 January 2025 |work=Yonhap News Agency}} The impeachment team called as its witnesses Hong Jang-won, the first deputy director of the National Intelligence Service; Cho Ji-ho, commissioner of the National Police Agency; Kwak Jong-geun, commander of the Republic of Korea Army Special Warfare Command; Lee Jin-woo, commander of the Capital Defense Command; and Yeo In-hyung, chief of the Defense Counterintelligence Command.{{Cite news |date=14 January 2025 |title=Yoon absence cuts first hearing short, court to fully start trial Thursday |url=https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10390115 |access-date=14 January 2025 |work=The Korea Herald}}

At the 16 January hearing, the court added additional hearing dates scheduled for 6, 11, and 13 February. It also called for additional witnesses, including former defense minister Kim Yong-hyun and police commissioner Cho Ji-ho, to testify. The court decided to admit surveillance footage from the National Assembly, the National Election Commission (NEC), and the official residence of the National Assembly speaker as evidence and announced plans to fact-check Yoon's claims of electoral fraud. During the hearing, Yoon's defense team formally presented its position on the issues, while the plaintiff outlined its arguments for impeachment. Yoon did not attend the hearing in person.{{Cite news |date=16 January 2025 |title=Court adds 3 more hearings, selects witnesses |url=https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10400487 |access-date=16 January 2025 |work=The Korea Herald}} His request to reschedule the hearing due to his arrest the previous day was rejected by the court.{{Cite news |date=16 January 2025 |title=Court rejects Yoon's request to postpone 2nd hearing of impeachment trial |url=https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10400180 |access-date=16 January 2025 |work=The Korea Herald}}

In the 21 January hearing, Yoon made his first physical appearance for his impeachment. He denied allegations that he had ordered the military to forcibly remove lawmakers from the National Assembly. Yoon stated that the soldiers deployed to the legislature were not intended to suspend the National Assembly or obstruct its efforts to lift martial law, acknowledging that such actions would have caused a crisis.{{Cite news |date=21 January 2025 |title=South Korea's President Yoon defends martial law call at impeachment trial |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/1/21/korea-president-yoon-martial-law |access-date=22 January 2025 |work=Al Jazeera English}}

On 22 January, acting president Choi Sang-mok ordered a 24-hour police presence at the Constitutional Court and other courts nationwide following the 2025 Seoul Western District Court riot and other incidents of political tension related to Yoon's impeachment.{{Cite news |date=22 January 2025 |title=Acting president orders 24-hour police surveillance at Constitutional Court |url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2025/01/251_390889.html |access-date=22 January 2025 |work=The Korea Times}}

{{multiple image

| perrow = 2

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| image1 = Former Army Special Warfare Commander Kwak Jong-keun testifying at the Constitutional Court.jpg

| caption1 = Former Army special warfare commander Kwak Jong-keun testifying as a witness on 6 February

| image2 = Han Duck-soo testifies at the Constitutional Court on February 20th 2025.jpg

| caption2 = Then-impeached acting president Han Duck-soo testifying as a witness on 20 February

}}

On 23 January, Yoon appeared at the impeachment trial again, with Kim Yong-hyun present as a witness.{{Cite news |date=23 January 2025 |title=Yoon arrives at Constitutional Court to attend impeachment trial hearing |url=https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250123006700320 |access-date=23 January 2025 |work=Yonhap News Agency}} Kim denied allegations that Yoon had ordered the military to storm the National Assembly to prevent lawmakers from convening and passing a resolution nullifying martial law.{{Cite news |date=23 January 2025 |title=(3rd LD) Ex-defense minister downplays martial law allegations against Yoon |url=https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250123006753320 |access-date=23 January 2025 |work=Yonhap News Agency}} However, he admitted to recommending declaring martial law to Yoon and to writing a note to Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok, instructing the establishment of an emergency legislative body during martial law.{{Cite news |date=23 January 2025 |title=Ex-defense minister claims responsibility for martial law, shields embattled president |url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2025/01/356_391024.html |access-date=23 January 2025 |work=The Korea Times}} Alongside Yoon, Kim was also accused of ordering lawmakers to be dragged out of the parliament, to which Kim responded with; "The situation was very chaotic, I thought someone might get crushed to death. So I said to pull them out for now to reduce the risk of serious harm. That’s what I meant."{{Cite web |date=2025-01-24 |title='의원' 아닌 '요원' 이라던 김용현, 송곳 질문에 쩔쩔매는 중 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cVcfHgiHaWM |access-date=2025-05-29 |language=en |work=YouTube }} Yoon defended his declaration of martial law, asserting that it did not fail but acknowledging that it ended "sooner than expected".{{Cite news |date=23 January 2025 |title=Yoon: Martial law didn't fail, but ended 'sooner than expected' |url=https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10405942 |access-date=23 January 2025 |work=The Korea Herald }}

On 1 February, Yoon's legal team formally requested the recusal of acting chief justice Moon Hyung-bae, Justice Lee Mi-seon, and Justice Chung Kyesun from the impeachment case, citing concerns about impartiality. The team alluded to Moon's past social media interactions with DPK leader Lee Jae-myung, Justice Lee's brother, who serves as a vice chairman of a committee at the Lawyers for a Democratic Society and had supported Yoon's resignation, as well as Justice Chung's husband, who had signed a public declaration supporting Yoon's impeachment.{{Cite news |date=1 February 2025 |title=Yoon's legal team requests recusal of 3 justices from impeachment case |url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2025/02/251_391318.html |access-date=1 February 2025 |work=The Korea Times}}

Appearing again for the 4 February hearing, Yoon admitted to ordering soldiers to the NEC to check its systems operations, citing allegations of election fraud. He again denied accusations of him ordering the military to forcibly remove lawmakers from the National Assembly, saying that it could not have been done due to the presence of thousands of civilians outside the assembly compound. Lee Jin-woo testified that he had not received orders from Yoon or Kim Yong-hyun to obstruct the lifting of martial law by lawmakers but said he believed that the military deployment to the legislature was legitimate under the Martial Law Act. Yeo In-hyung also attended the hearing as a witness but refused to testify, citing the risk of self-incrimination in a parallel criminal investigation against him.{{Cite news |date=1 February 2025 |title=(3rd LD) Yoon acknowledges troop dispatch to election commission during martial law decree |url=https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250204001053315 |access-date=4 February 2025 |work=Yonhap News Agency}}

On 8 February, police launched an investigation after reports of a planned mob attack, scheduled for 13 February, on the Constitutional Court trial emerged online. In response, more than 2,700 police personnel and 140 buses were deployed near the court on 11 February. Barricades and panels were set up to restrict access, and the court justices received armed protection.{{Cite news |last=Lee |first=Jung-joo |date=11 February 2025 |title=All 8 justices under protection of fully armed officials amid police probe into mob plot |url=https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10417424 |access-date=11 February 2025 |work=The Korea Herald |language=en-US}}

At the 11 February hearing, Yoon blamed opposition parties for his decision to declare martial law. Yoon claimed that the opposition parties had failed to give him due respect as president and described them as "malicious". Yoon cited his addresses to the National Assembly, during which he said opposition lawmakers refused to attend or shake hands and turned away from him.{{Cite news |date=11 February 2025 |title=South Korea's Yoon blames 'malicious' opposition for martial law bid |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20250211-south-korea-s-yoon-blames-malicious-opposition-for-martial-law-bid-1 |access-date=11 February 2025 |work=France 24}} Former interior minister Lee Sang-min also testified before the court and denied that Yoon had ordered him to cut off electricity and water supplies to left-leaning media outlets critical of Yoon, specifically the Hankyoreh, the Kyunghyang Shinmun, MBC and JTBC, as well as the opinion polling agency Flower Research during martial law.{{Cite news |date=11 February 2025 |title=(3rd LD) Ex-interior minister denies trying to cut off power, water to media outlets after martial law declaration |url=https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250211001653315 |access-date=11 February 2025 |work=Yonhap News Agency}}

At 13 February hearing, which Yoon attended,{{Cite news |date=13 February 2025 |title=Yoon attends likely final hearing of impeachment trial |url=https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250213006100315 |access-date=13 February 2025 |work=Yonhap News Agency}} former NIS first deputy director Hong Jang-won, who previously testified to compiling a list of politicians as instructed by Yoon to "clean them all up" during martial law, revealed that he had been contacted through text messages by first lady Kim Keon-hee on the night of martial law, but could not recall the exact details. His statement was disputed by NIS director Cho Tae-yong, who cited multiple discrepancies and accused Hong of links with opposition politicians.{{Cite news |date=13 February 2025 |title=Constitutional Court to hold additional impeachment hearing |url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2025/02/356_392184.html |access-date=13 February 2025 |work=The Korea Times}} Col. Cho Seong-hyun, commander of the 1st Security Group at the Capital Defense Command and the only witness directly requested by the court, also testified that his commanding officer Lee Jin-woo ordered him to support special forces soldiers at the National Assembly as they dragged lawmakers out of the building.{{Cite news |date=13 February 2025 |title=Court likely to rule on Yoon's impeachment as early as mid-March |url=https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10419455 |access-date=13 February 2025 |work=The Korea Herald}} The Constitutional Court also set an additional impeachment hearing to be held on 18 February.{{Cite news |date=13 February 2025 |title=South Korea's Yoon back in court for impeachment hearing |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20250213-south-korea-s-yoon-back-in-court-over-impeachment-bid |access-date=13 February 2025 |work=France 24}} On 14 February, it also set an additional hearing scheduled on 20 February and ordered Han Duck-soo to testify as a witness.{{Cite news |date=14 February 2025 |title=(2nd LD) Court schedules another hearing for Yoon's impeachment trial, selects impeached PM as witness |url=https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250214007151315 |access-date=14 February 2025 |work=Yonhap News Agency}}

Yoon arrived at the Constitutional Court for the 18 February hearing but left shortly before it began after it was determined following a meeting with his lawyers that his attendance was unnecessary. The hearing proceeded with the prosecution and defense summarizing their arguments. The court also rejected an appeal by Yoon's lawyers to postpone the 20 February hearing due to a scheduling conflict with the first preliminary hearing of Yoon's separate criminal trial on insurrection charges. However, the court agreed to push back the opening of the hearing by an hour.{{Cite news |date=18 February 2025 |title=(2nd LD) Constitutional Court moves forward with Yoon's impeachment trial despite tight schedule |url=https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250218001052315 |access-date=18 February 2025 |work=Yonhap News Agency}} The court also issued a subpoena for Cho Ji-ho, who refused to testify as a witness for the third time, citing health issues.{{Cite news |date=18 February 2025 |title=Yoon's impeachment trial appears to be nearing end |url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2025/02/251_392509.html |access-date=18 February 2025 |work=The Korea Times}}

Yoon arrived at the Constitutional Court for the 20 February hearing but left shortly after his lawyers determined that it would be inappropriate for him to watch Han Duck-soo testify, reentering once Han had finished. Han said that members of Yoon's cabinet were concerned about his plans to declare martial law and tried to dissuade him from doing so, while denying claims from Kim Yong-hyun that some members were in support of the plan. He also said that the martial law declaration did not follow constitutional and legal procedures and questioned whether Yoon's cabinet meeting on 3 December was a proper one. Cho Ji-ho, who finally appeared at the trial, refused to answer most questions presented at him, citing a related criminal trial.{{Cite news |date=20 February 2025 |title=Impeached PM says Cabinet members tried to stop Yoon's martial law bid |url=https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250220007800315 |access-date=20 February 2025 |work=Yonhap News Agency}}{{Cite news |date=20 February 2025 |title=Ex-intel agency No. 2 changes testimony on where he noted down 'politician arrest list' |url=https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10425021 |access-date=20 February 2025 |work=The Korea Herald}} Later, the court set the final impeachment hearing on 25 February.{{Cite news |date=20 February 2025 |title=(LEAD) Court to hold final hearing of Yoon's impeachment trial Tuesday |url=https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250220007851315 |access-date=20 February 2025 |work=Yonhap News Agency}}

At the 25 February hearing, Yoon said he was "sorry and thankful to the people".{{Cite news |date=25 February 2025 |title=(4th LD) Yoon says he is sorry, thankful to nation at final impeachment hearing |url=https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250225001154315 |access-date=25 February 2025 |work=Yonhap News Agency}} He also pledged to push for political reforms and a constitutional revision to change the current presidential system if his impeachment is overturned,{{Cite news |date=25 February 2025 |title=South Korea's Yoon defends his martial law decree as impeachment trial nears end |url=https://apnews.com/article/south-korea-yoon-trial-martial-law-2299f36e333c3fc40340c68ced4f80ce |access-date=25 February 2025 |work=AP News}} adding that the fulfillment of such pledges might lead to him leaving office before the end of his term. At the same time, he continued to deny the accusations of insurrection against him and accusations that of him interfering with the National Assembly's affairs.{{Cite news |date=25 February 2025 |title=(5th LD) Yoon vows to focus on revising Constitution if reinstated |url=https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250225001155315 |access-date=25 February 2025 |work=Yonhap News Agency}} He also continued to defend martial law, saying that it was intended to appeal to the public about the "imperial opposition party" and accused the latter of exploiting experiences from previous martial law declarations to "incite public fear".{{Cite news |date=25 February 2025 |title=In final defense, Yoon Suk Yeol apologizes but insists Dec. 3 martial law was 'national appeal' |url=https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10428679 |access-date=26 February 2025 |work=The Korea Herald}} Lee Kwang-beom, one of the prosecution lawyers, compared Yoon to previous South Korean presidents including Park Chung Hee and Chun Doo-hwan, adding that Yoon's declaration of martial law was "dictatorship".{{Cite news |last=Kim |first=Jack |title=South Korea's Yoon accused in final impeachment hearing of seeking 'dictatorship' |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/south-korea-court-hear-closing-statements-yoons-impeachment-trial-2025-02-25/ |date=25 February 2025|access-date=27 February 2025 |work=Reuters}} The trial ended with a total of 11 hearings held over 73 days and 16 people testifying as witnesses.{{Cite news |date=26 February 2025 |title=Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment trial: 73 days, 11 hearings, 16 witnesses |url=https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10429421 |access-date=26 February 2025 |work=The Korea Herald}}

On 12 March, the government imposed a no-fly zone within a radius of 1 nautical mile from the Constitutional Court that would last until 19 March.{{Cite news |date=12 March 2025 |title=Flights banned over Constitutional Court ahead of Yoon's impeachment ruling |url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2025/03/113_394046.html |access-date=12 March 2025 |work=The Korea Times}} The National Police Agency also said it would declare its highest-level security protocol on the day the court issues its verdict on Yoon's impeachment.{{Cite news |date=14 March 2025 |title=Flights banned over Constitutional Court ahead of Yoon's impeachment ruling |url=https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10441922 |access-date=14 March 2025 |work=The Korea Herald}} On 16 March, PPP floor leader Kweon Seong-dong said the party would respect the Constitutional Court's verdict on Yoon's impeachment regardless of its outcome.{{Cite news |date=16 March 2025 |title=(2nd LD) Ruling party says will accept impending Constitutional Court ruling on Yoon's impeachment |url=https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250316002852315 |access-date=16 March 2025 |work=Yonhap News Agency}}

On 1 April, the Constitutional Court announced that it would issue its verdict regarding Yoon's impeachment at 11:00 KST on 4 April.{{Cite news |date=1 April 2025 |title=South Korea's Constitutional Court will rule Friday on Yoon's impeachment |url=https://apnews.com/article/south-korea-yoon-impeachment-constitutional-court-b1abd52452acb738efa46563163c475d |access-date=1 April 2025 |work=AP News}}{{Cite web |date=1 April 2025 |title=South Korea Constitutional Court to rule on Yoon's impeachment on April 4 |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/south-korea-constitutional-court-rule-yoons-impeachment-april-4-2025-04-01/ |work=Reuters |access-date=3 April 2025}} In response, multiple venues and events scheduled in Seoul on the said date were closed, cancelled or postponed.{{Cite news |date=2 April 2025 |title=Seoul suspends cultural activities ahead of impeachment ruling |url=https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10456382 |access-date=2 April 2025 |work=The Korea Herald}} Police also imposed a "vacuum zone" and sealed off the area within a 150-meter radius around the Constitutional Court with police buses.{{Cite news |date=3 April 2025 |title=Police beef up security alert as verdict on Yoon's impeachment nears |url=https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250403003500315 |access-date=3 April 2025 |work=Yonhap News Agency}} About 96,370 people applied for 20 available spectator seats to attend the verdict at the court, making it the highest number of applicants to try and attend an impeachment proceeding in South Korea.{{Cite news |date=3 April 2025 |title=Over 96,000 apply for 20 seats at Yoon's impeachment ruling |url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/southkorea/law-crime/20250403/over-96000-apply-for-20-seats-at-yoons-impeachment-ruling |access-date=3 April 2025 |work=The Korea Times}} Yoon declined to attend the reading of the court's verdict.{{Cite news |date=3 April 2025 |title=(2nd LD) Yoon not to attend impeachment ruling session Friday |url=https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250403006252320 |access-date=4 April 2025 |work=Yonhap News Agency}}

On the day before the verdict (3 April), 14,000 police officers were deployed, with Level 2 emergency response status being issued. City buses were diverted, and additional police were sent to major political sites. On the day of the ruling, the emergency status was raised to level 1, allowing for 100% of the police to be deployed.{{Cite web |date=3 April 2025 |title=14,000 police, seas of ralliers flood Seoul ahead of Yoon ruling |url=https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2025-04-03/national/socialAffairs/14000-police-seas-of-ralliers-flood-Seoul-ahead-of-Yoon-ruling/2277024 |access-date=4 April 2025 |website=Korea Joongang daily |language=en}}

=Verdict=

File:2024헌나8 대통령(윤석열) 탄핵심판 결정문.pdf

On 4 April, the Constitutional Court upheld the impeachment in a unanimous 8–0 decision, which formally removed Yoon from office, effective at 11:22 KST. In the decision read out by acting Chief Justice of the Constitutional Court Moon Hyung-bae, the court declared that Yoon did not follow procedures for declaring martial law. He further stated that Yoon "went against those he was supposed to protect" and "damaged people's political rights."{{Cite news |date=3 April 2025 |title=South Korea president's impeachment upheld by constitutional court |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/live/c5yrpvggyyet |access-date=3 April 2025 |work=BBC News}}{{Cite news|date=4 April 2025|script-title=ko:헌법재판소 '114쪽 분량' 윤석열 탄핵 결정문, 어떤 내용 있었나|trans-title=What was the content of the Constitutional Court's 114-page impeachment decision on Yoon Seok-yeol? |url=https://www.bbc.com/korean/articles/cwy73e9p864o |access-date=4 April 2025|language=ko|work=BBC Korea}}

The court also acknowledged "the resistance of citizens" in helping prevent the full implementation of martial law,{{Cite web|url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20250404-historic-moment-south-koreans-react-to-yoon-s-dismissal |title='Historic moment': South Koreans react to Yoon's dismissal |date=4 April 2025|website=France 24}} and said that Yoon's conflict with the National Assembly was "a political issue that must be resolved within the bounds of democracy", adding that the legislature's use of its powers "did not, in itself, create a severe crisis situation at the time justifying the declaration of martial law" while saying that the chamber should have respected minority opinions and made efforts towards compromise.{{Cite web|url=https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10458391 |title=Fate sealed: South Korea removes Yoon Suk Yeol from office |date=4 April 2025|website=The Korea Herald}} It also ruled that verbal statements made by key suspects to prosecutors regarding plans of arrests by Yoon were admissible.{{Cite web |date=4 April 2025 |title=Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law a constitutional breach: court |url=https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10458384 |website=The Korea Herald}}

The verdict came 111 days after his impeachment by the National Assembly,{{Cite web |last1=황 |first1=윤기 |last2=전 |first2=재훈 |date=4 April 2025 |title=[3보] 헌재 전원일치로 윤석열 대통령 파면…"헌법수호 의무 저버렸다" |url=https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20250404066752004 |website=Yonhap News}} the longest of any South Korean presidential impeachment verdict. Yoon's removal from office makes him the shortest-serving president under the democratic history of South Korea.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2025/04/03/asia/yoon-impeachment-verdict-south-korea-intl-hnk/index.html|title=Yoon Suk Yeol: South Korea's impeached president is removed from office, four months after declaring martial law|last1=Seo|first1=Yoonjung|last2=Bae|first2=Gawon|last3=Valerio|first3=Mike|last4=Yeung|first4=Jessie|date=4 April 2025|website=CNN}}

The court issued a 114-page decision citing serious violations of the constitution and a breach of public trust. The ruling outlined five major constitutional violations committed during the imposition of martial law on 3–4 December:{{Cite news |date=4 April 2025 |title=Decoding ruling: Why court upheld Yoon's impeachment |url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/southkorea/politics/20250404/decoding-the-verdict-why-south-korean-presidents-impeachment-was-upheld-by-constitutional-court |access-date=4 April 2025 |work=The Korea Times}}{{Cite news |date=4 April 2025 |title=The verdict that removed South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol from power |url=https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10458374 |access-date=4 April 2025 |work=The Korea Herald}}

Failure to meet substantive requirements for declaring martial law: The court found that political gridlock and allegations of election fraud did not constitute grounds for martial law. Such issues, it stated, should be addressed through political, institutional, and judicial means. Yoon's justification of the declaration as a "warning" or "appeal to the public" was not recognized as legitimate under the Martial Law Act.
Failure to meet procedural requirements: Yoon did not inform the martial law commander or other officials of the details of the declaration, did not hold cabinet deliberations, and failed to obtain required signatures from the prime minister and relevant ministers. He also did not publicly announce the scope, timing, or command structure of martial law, nor did he notify the National Assembly without delay.
Interference with the authority of the National Assembly: Yoon deployed military and police forces to prevent lawmakers from entering the National Assembly, obstructing their rights to deliberate, vote, and exercise immunity from arrest.
Violation of judicial independence: The court found that Yoon was involved in tracking and planning the arrest of former and current members of the judiciary, including former chief justice Kim Myeong-su and other retired justices, thereby exerting pressure on the judiciary.
Infringement of political freedoms and constitutional order: The court ruled that Yoon ordered the tracking of political opponents through the National Intelligence Service (NIS), used military forces to obstruct political institutions, and issued martial law decrees that violated constitutional protections, including the rights to political activity, assembly, occupation, and the separation of powers.

Additional violations cited included unauthorized searches and seizures at the National Election Commission (NEC), and orders to inspect NEC computer systems, confiscate staff devices, and conduct surveillance without a warrant. These actions, the court stated, infringed upon the NEC's independence.{{Citation needed|date=April 2025}}

As a result of the ruling, Yoon lost presidential immunity and became subject to criminal prosecution. His trial on charges of insurrection began on 14 April.{{Cite web |last=Min-kyung |first=Jung |date=4 April 2025 |title=Yoon Suk Yeol: From star prosecutor to ousted president |url=https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10458025 |access-date=4 April 2025 |website=The Korea Herald |language=en}} If found guilty, Yoon faces the death penalty or life imprisonment, although there has been a moratorium on executions in South Korea since 1997.{{cite news |url=https://www.channelnewsasia.com/east-asia/south-korea-yoon-suk-yeol-trial-5062786 |title=South Korea's ex-president Yoon to face insurrection trial on Monday |work=CNA |date=April 13, 2025 }}

Popular reactions

While the session for the first impeachment motion was underway, the crowd outside the National Assembly demanding Yoon's removal and insisting that PPP lawmakers participate in the impeachment vote was estimated to be in the hundreds of thousands,{{Cite news |last=Kim |first=Eun-jung |date=7 December 2024 |title=(News Focus) Yoon survives impeachment vote, but political future remains uncertain |url=https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20241207004800315 |work=Yonhap News Agency}} with some attempting to scale the walls and police barricades.{{Cite news |last=Kim |first=Boram |date=7 December 2024 |title=Rally participants rage over failure of Yoon impeachment motion |url=https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20241207005351315 |work=Yonhap News Agency |archive-date=7 December 2024 |access-date=7 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241207193929/https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20241207005351315 |url-status=live }} On 5 December, phone numbers of PPP lawmakers were released online, leading to a wave of text messages from the public urging them to support Yoon's impeachment, which continued after the impeachment motion failed. One MP, Shin Sung-bum, said that he had received 10,501 messages by 9 December.{{Cite web |last=Lee |first=Jaeeun |date=9 December 2024 |title=K-democracy? Lawmakers flooded with protest texts after impeachment boycott |url=https://news.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20241209050080 |access-date=9 December 2024 |website=The Korea Herald |language=en |archive-date=9 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241209205056/https://news.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20241209050080 |url-status=live }} After the motion failed, several PPP lawmakers' offices were vandalized, while others received funeral wreaths with messages such as "insurrection accomplices" written.{{cite news |title=South Korea slaps travel bans on more top officials |work=France 24 |date=9 December 2024 |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20241210-south-korea-slaps-travel-bans-on-more-top-officials |access-date=9 December 2024 |archive-date=12 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241212111534/https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20241210-south-korea-slaps-travel-bans-on-more-top-officials |url-status=live }} A box cutter was also found at the residence of lawmaker Kim Jae-sub. A petition filed at the National Assembly website calling for the PPP's dissolution garnered more than 171,000 signatures,{{Cite news |last=Shin |first=Ji-hye |date=11 December 2024 |title=Angry voters want lawmakers to heed their call. But how, with election years away? |url=https://news.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20241210050046 |access-date=14 December 2024 |work=The Korea Herald}} exceeding the 50,000 needed to have the proposal submitted to the relevant standing committee.{{Cite news |last=Lee |first=Hae-rin |date=10 December 2024 |title=Ruling party lawmakers face backlash for boycotting impeachment motion |url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2024/12/356_388118.html |access-date=14 December 2024 |work=The Korea Times |archive-date=13 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241213122259/https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2024/12/356_388118.html |url-status=live }}

During the session for the second impeachment motion, at least 208,000 people gathered near the National Assembly in support of impeachment. Demonstrations in support of Yoon's impeachment were also held in cities nationwide, with 10,000 attending rallies in Jeonju and 30,000 others participating in Daegu.{{Cite news |last=Park |first=Boram |date=14 December 2024 |title=In embrace and tears, citizens celebrate 'people's victory' over Yoon's impeachment |url=https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20241214005651315 |access-date=15 December 2024 |work=Yonhap News Agency}} At the same time, a mass rally of around 40,000 people in support of Yoon was held at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul.{{Cite news |date=14 December 2024 |title=Yoon supporters at Gwanghwamun call impeachment vote 'invalid' |url=https://news.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20241214050036 |access-date=15 December 2024 |work=The Korea Herald}} Trains running on Line 9 of the Seoul Metropolitan Subway avoided stopping at the National Assembly station to prevent congestion-related accidents.{{Cite news |last=Song |first=Sang-ho |date=14 December 2024 |title=Dozens of Korean Americans stage rally calling for Yoon's impeachment |url=https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20241214001000315 |access-date=15 December 2024 |work=Yonhap News Agency |archive-date=15 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241215164710/https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20241214001000315 |url-status=live }} On 13 December, some 50 Korean Americans demonstrated outside the White House in Washington, D.C. calling for Yoon's impeachment.

Yoon's supporters rallied around slogans such as Make America Great Again and Stop the Steal inspired by U.S. President Trump.{{Cite news |last=Mesmer |first=Philippe |date=11 January 2025 |title=Why South Koreans are chanting Trump's 'Stop the Steal' in support of impeached president Yoon |url=https://www.lemonde.fr/en/international/article/2025/01/11/why-south-koreans-are-chanting-trump-s-stop-the-steal-in-support-of-impeached-president-yoon_6736944_4.html |access-date=14 January 2025 |work=Le Monde |language=en}} However, this is rooted in a conspiracy theory about the defeat of the PPP in the April 2024 general election. Yoon’s claim has not been proven by the National Election Commission (NEC) or the judiciary. South Korea votes on paper, and the printed ballots are kept. Hans Schattle, a professor of political science at Yonsei University, said that Yoon’s supporters’ comparisons with Donald Trump are inappropriate.{{Cite web |date=7 January 2025 |title='Stop the Steal' in South Korea? Why MAGA-like hats and slogans are part of President Yoon's impeachment drama |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2025/01/07/asia/south-korea-stop-the-steal-yoon-intl-hnk/index.html |first1=Mike |last1=Valerio |first2=Yoonjung |last2=Seo |first3=Gawon |last3=Bae |first4=Helen |last4=Regan |publisher=CNN}}

In support of Yoon's impeachment, leading religious groups in South Korea marched with their heads, arms, and legs on the ground.{{Cite news|date=2 April 2025|script-title=ko:“윤석열 탄핵 촉구” 오체투지…거리로 나온 종교·예술계|trans-title=Call for the impeachment of Yoon Seok-yeol” Marching while praying with five parts of the body on the ground… Religious and artistic circles take to the streets(comprehensive)|url=https://news.kbs.co.kr/news/pc/view/view.do?ncd=8217005|access-date=3 April 2025|language=ko|work=KBS}}

After Yoon's impeachment was upheld by the Constitutional Court, celebrations broke out among impeachment supporters camped outside the court, while Yoon supporters outside the presidential office reacted negatively to the verdict. One supporter was arrested on charges of breaking the window of a police bus using a club at Anguk Station near the court in anger over the verdict.{{cite news|url=https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250404010000315 |title=Supporter of Yoon detained for allegedly breaking window of police bus with club |work=Yonhap News Agency |date=4 April 2025}} Others were heard making death threats against Constitutional Court justices.{{cite news|url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20250403-south-korea-court-to-decide-impeached-president-s-fate |title=South Korea court ousts impeached president Yoon |work=France 24 |date=4 April 2025}}

Human Rights Watch supported the outcome.{{Cite news |last1=Rashid |first1=Raphael |last2=McCurry |first2=Justin |date=4 April 2025 |title=South Koreans are celebrating Yoon's impeachment, but the saga is far from over |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/apr/04/south-koreans-celebrating-yoon-suk-yeol-impeachment-saga-is-far-from-over |access-date=6 April 2025 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}{{Cite web |date=4 April 2025 |title=South Korea Court Removes President Yoon from Office {{!}} Human Rights Watch |url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2025/04/04/south-korea-court-removes-president-yoon-office |access-date=6 April 2025 |language=en}}

Analysis

The Korea Times drew comparisons between Yoon's impeachment and that of President Park Geun-hye in 2017, suggesting Yoon survived the first impeachment attempt due to PPP fears that it would suffer a crushing defeat in any ensuing snap presidential election, similar to what happened to the Saenuri Party seven years earlier after Park was removed from the presidency.{{Cite news |last=Kim |first=Rahn |date=7 December 2024 |title=Why Park Geun-hye was impeached, but Yoon Suk Yeol isn't |url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2024/12/356_387896.html |access-date=14 December 2024 |work=The Korea Times |archive-date=14 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241214051740/https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2024/12/356_387896.html |url-status=live }} While multiple opinion polls have shown DPK and opposition leader Lee Jae-myung maintaining a strong lead in any prospective matchup,{{Cite web |last=Ji-hyoung |first=Son |date=17 February 2025 |title=Lee Jae-myung leads polls for early presidential election |url=https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10421738 |access-date=24 March 2025 |website=The Korea Herald |language=en}} a 2025 poll by The Chosun Ilbo{{snd}}a right-wing paper{{snd}}showed a reversal.{{Cite web |date=17 January 2025 |title=Public support swings toward South Korea's ruling party despite martial law fallout |url=https://www.chosun.com/english/national-en/2025/01/17/SK4GZ3HR7JBSJGHMDHPPX2IKDM/ |access-date=24 March 2025 |website=The Chosun Ilbo |language=en}}

Opinion polling

class="wikitable sortable" style="float: right; clear: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;" \|+ Support for Yoon's impeachment or resignation by political ideology {{as of\|2024\|12\|12\|lc=1}}{{Cite web \|date=12 December 2024 \|script-title=ko:[리얼미터] 尹 대통령 '비상계엄' 선포 사태 ① '즉시 탄핵' 74.8%, ② 계엄 트라우마 '경험 있다' 66.2% \|trans-title=[Realmeter] President Yoon's declaration of 'martial law' ① 'Immediate impeachment' 74.8%, ② 'Experienced' martial law trauma 66.2% \|url=http://www.realmeter.net/%eb%a6%ac%ec%96%bc%eb%af%b8%ed%84%b0-%e5%b0%b9-%eb%8c%80%ed%86%b5%eb%a0%b9-%eb%b9%84%ec%83%81%ea%b3%84%ec%97%84-%ec%84%a0%ed%8f%ac-%ec%82%ac%ed%83%9c-%e2%91%a0-%ec%a6%89/ \|access-date=12 December 2024 \|website=Realmeter \|language=ko \|archive-date=12 December 2024 \|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241212015932/http://www.realmeter.net/%EB%A6%AC%EC%96%BC%EB%AF%B8%ED%84%B0-%E5%B0%B9-%EB%8C%80%ED%86%B5%EB%A0%B9-%EB%B9%84%EC%83%81%EA%B3%84%EC%97%84-%EC%84%A0%ED%8F%AC-%EC%82%AC%ED%83%9C-%E2%91%A0-%EC%A6%89/ \|url-status=live }}
scope="col" \| Ideology ! scope="col" \| Impeachment /immediate resignation ! scope="col" \| Orderly resignation ! scope="col" \| Total
scope="row" \| Progressive \| 92% \| 6.9% \| 98.9%
scope="row" \| "Moderate" \| 83% \| 11.6% \| 94.6%
scope="row" \| Conservative \| 43% \| 33.3% \| 76.3%
class="sortbottom" ! scope="row" \| Total ! 74.8% ! 16.2% ! 91%

class="wikitable sortable" style="float: right; clear: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"

|+ Support for Yoon's impeachment or resignation by political ideology {{as of|2024|12|12|lc=1}}{{Cite web |date=12 December 2024 |script-title=ko:[리얼미터] 尹 대통령 '비상계엄' 선포 사태 ① '즉시 탄핵' 74.8%, ② 계엄 트라우마 '경험 있다' 66.2% |trans-title=[Realmeter] President Yoon's declaration of 'martial law' ① 'Immediate impeachment' 74.8%, ② 'Experienced' martial law trauma 66.2% |url=http://www.realmeter.net/%eb%a6%ac%ec%96%bc%eb%af%b8%ed%84%b0-%e5%b0%b9-%eb%8c%80%ed%86%b5%eb%a0%b9-%eb%b9%84%ec%83%81%ea%b3%84%ec%97%84-%ec%84%a0%ed%8f%ac-%ec%82%ac%ed%83%9c-%e2%91%a0-%ec%a6%89/ |access-date=12 December 2024 |website=Realmeter |language=ko |archive-date=12 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241212015932/http://www.realmeter.net/%EB%A6%AC%EC%96%BC%EB%AF%B8%ED%84%B0-%E5%B0%B9-%EB%8C%80%ED%86%B5%EB%A0%B9-%EB%B9%84%EC%83%81%EA%B3%84%EC%97%84-%EC%84%A0%ED%8F%AC-%EC%82%AC%ED%83%9C-%E2%91%A0-%EC%A6%89/ |url-status=live }}

scope="col" | Ideology

! scope="col" | Impeachment
/immediate
resignation

! scope="col" | Orderly
resignation

! scope="col" | Total

scope="row" | Progressive

| 92%

| 6.9%

| 98.9%

scope="row" | "Moderate"

| 83%

| 11.6%

| 94.6%

scope="row" | Conservative

| 43%

| 33.3%

| 76.3%

class="sortbottom"

! scope="row" | Total

! 74.8%

! 16.2%

! 91%

Opinion polling carried out by Realmeter on 4 December 2024 found that 73.6% of respondents supported Yoon's impeachment while 24% opposed it. It also found that 70% believed that Yoon's actions constituted treason while 25% believed otherwise.{{Cite news |last=Kim |first=Eun-jung |date=5 December 2024 |title=Seven out of 10 support Yoon's impeachment over martial law declaration: poll |url=https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20241205004600315?section=national/national |access-date=5 December 2024 |work=Yonhap News Agency |archive-date=9 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241209110316/https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20241205004600315?section=national/national |url-status=live }} Another Realmeter poll released on 12 December found 74.8% of respondents supported either Yoon's immediate resignation or impeachment, while 16.2% supported the PPP's proposal of Yoon's orderly resignation.

A Gallup poll released on 13 December found that Yoon's impeachment was supported by 75% of respondents and opposed by 21%. It also found that 27% of PPP supporters favored impeachment, compared to 66% opposed. Among DPK supporters, 97% supported impeachment, while 3% opposed.{{Cite web |date=13 December 2024 |title=Yoon's approval rating sinks to all-time low of 11%: poll |url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2024/12/356_388364.html |access-date=13 December 2024 |website=The Korea Times |language=en |archive-date=13 December 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241213050252/https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2024/12/356_388364.html |url-status=live }} The same poll also found Speaker Woo Won-shik emerging as the most trusted politician in South Korea for his actions during martial law and the impeachment, with a rating of 56%.{{cite news|url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2024/12/356_388560.html |title=Why Speaker Woo Won-shik wore a lime-green tie during impeachment |publisher=The Korea Times|date=16 December 2024|accessdate=16 December 2024}}

After Yoon's suspension, a Realmeter poll on 19 December found that 52.6% of respondents did not regard the PPP as the ruling party, compared to 41.6% who regarded it as such. Conversely, 59.4% considered the DPK as the ruling party while 39.1% did not.{{cite news|url=https://news.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20241219050021 |title='Yoon's party isn't ruling party': 52.6% of surveyed Koreans say |publisher=The Korea Herald|date=19 December 2024 |accessdate=19 December 2024}}

On 31 December, a poll released by The Korea Times and Hankook Research and conducted from 26 to 27 December found 69% of respondents supported the upholding of Yoon's impeachment while 28% stated otherwise. It also found that support for the measure was highest among those aged 40 to 49 (90%), followed by people in their 20s (82%), 30s (77%) and 50s (70%). It also found opposition to Yoon's impeachment to be high among 56% of respondents in their 70s and 45% of those in their 60s. Support for impeachment was also expressed by 93% of those identifying as liberals, 78% among centrists and 34% among conservatives.{{cite news |url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2024/12/356_389471.html |title=Nearly 70% of Koreans believe court should uphold Yoon's impeachment |publisher=The Korea Times|date=31 December 2024|accessdate=31 December 2024}} In terms of party affiliation, support for impeachment was expressed by 98% of DPK supporters and 100% of Rebuilding Korea Party supporters, while 85% of PPP supporters believed otherwise.{{cite news|url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2024/12/356_389430.html |title=Korea divided: Polls show deep political polarization |publisher=The Korea Times|date=31 December 2024|accessdate=31 December 2024}} Polling by the same entities also found that 65% of respondents believed that it was necessary for all nine seats in the Constitutional Court to be filled in order hear Yoon's impeachment trial, while 31% believed otherwise.{{cite news|url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2024/12/356_389484.html |title=65% of Koreans want 9-member court panel to make decision on Yoon's impeachment |publisher=The Korea Times|date=31 December 2024|accessdate=31 December 2024}}

As the impeachment trial was underway, a poll released by Gallup on 14 February 2025 found that 57% supported Yoon's impeachment while 38% were opposed. It also found that 52% of respondents said they trusted the Constitutional Court, while 40% said they did not.{{cite news|url=https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250214007300315 |title=Nearly 6 out of 10 support Yoon's impeachment over martial law declaration: poll |publisher=Yonhap News Agency|date=14 February 2025 |accessdate=14 February 2025}} A poll released by Realmeter on 24 February found that 52% supported Yoon's impeachment while 45.1% were opposed. It also found that 50.7% of respondents regarded the impeachment trial as fair, while 45% said they did not.{{cite news|url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/nation/2025/02/251_392845.html |title=52% says Constitutional Court should uphold Yoon's impeachment |publisher=The Korea Times|date=24 February 2025 |accessdate=24 February 2025}} A poll released by Gallup on 28 February showed that 59% supported Yoon's impeachment while 35% were opposed. It also found support for impeachment strongest among DPK supporters and among people aged in their 20s and 50s, and opposition strongest among PPP supporters and people aged 70 and older.{{cite news|url=https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250228003700315 |title=Nearly 60 pct support Yoon's impeachment over martial law declaration: poll |publisher=Yonhap News Agency|date=28 February 2025 |accessdate=28 February 2025}}

After the date of the Constitutional Court's verdict was announced, a survey held by Realmeter from 2 to 4 April and released on 7 April found that 76.9% of respondents said they would accept the court's ruling, while 17% said they did not while 15% remained undecided. It also found that support for the ruling was at 86.5% among DPK supporters and 65.5% among PPP supporters.{{cite news|url=https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250407002300315 |title=Almost four-fifths of S. Koreans accept Yoon's ouster over failed martial law bid |publisher=Yonhap News Agency|date=7 April 2025 |accessdate=7 April 2025}}

Following the upholding of Yoon's impeachment on 4 April, a survey by Gallup held from 4 to 5 April and released on 6 April found that 81% of respondents accepted the ruling, while 17% did not.{{cite news|url=https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10459886 |title=[Graphic News] 8 in 10 Koreans accept Constitutional Court’s ruling |publisher=The Korea Herald|date=8 April 2025 |accessdate=8 April 2025}}

Aftermath

With his removal from office due to the impeachment, Yoon is disqualified from running for public office in South Korea for five years as per the constitution; in any case, presidents in South Korea can only serve a single term.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/04/03/world/south-korea-yoon/3746b651-9eb4-5d81-9c9a-06b44333ddf6|title=Live Updates: Top Court Ousts South Korean President, Upholding His Impeachment|date=3 April 2025|work=The New York Times}} Additionally, with the exception of a continued security detail for five years, extendable to ten if deemed needed by the security chief and not applicable if he is detained again, Yoon loses all post-presidential benefits such as a pension (which could have been up to 95% of the presidential salary), free medical care, right to burial in a national cemetery (for example the Seoul National Cemetery), and the right to a support staff.{{cite news|url=https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/3305188/potential-arrest-no-perks-pension-what-comes-next-south-koreas-yoon|title=Potential arrest, no perks, pension: what comes next for South Korea's Yoon?|work=South China Morning Post|date=4 April 2025}}

Yoon expressed regret at failing to live up to the public’s expectations, but said "It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve our nation". One of his lawyers, Yoon Kap-keun, called the ruling "completely incomprehensible" and a "pure political decision". At a meeting with PPP leaders, Yoon expressed hope that the party would win the next presidential election.{{cite news|url=https://www.koreaherald.com/article/10458468 |title=Yoon tells ruling party leaders: 'Win the next election' |work=The Korea Herald |date=4 April 2025}} The PPP said it accepted the ruling, while the DPK's Lee Jae-myung expressed praise for the South Korean people for "protecting our democratic republic".{{cite news|url=https://apnews.com/article/south-korea-martial-law-yoon-constitutional-court-8cdcf4944c2e3cd9edf723bc29ba51ff |title=Yoon Suk Yeol removed as South Korea's president over short-lived martial law |work=AP News |date=4 April 2025}} National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik said that the impeachment ruling "reaffirmed that no one in the Republic of Korea can stand above the law."{{cite news|url=https://biz.chosun.com/en/en-policy/2025/04/04/XJDMI2HKTFB4POODGOCUS6NJGM/ |title=Woo Won-sik asserts no one above law, calls Constitutional Court decision victory for democracy |work=ChosunBiz |date=4 April 2025}}

Shortly after Yoon's impeachment was upheld, the presidential flag was lowered at his office in Yongsan, Seoul. His chief of staff, Chung Jin-suk, National Security Adviser Shin Won-sik and 13 other aides submitted their resignations to acting President Han Duck-soo on 4 April. The resignations were rejected by Han, citing the necessity of maintaining regular government functions.{{cite news|url=https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250404006952315 |title=(2nd LD) Senior presidential aides offer to resign following Yoon's ouster |work=Yonhap News Agency |date=4 April 2025}} In a separate address, Han pledged to ensure stability in national security and diplomacy, as well as a smooth transition of leadership to the next president.{{cite news|url=https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250404006551315 |title=(LEAD) Acting president vows to ensure stability after Yoon removed from office |work=Yonhap News Agency |date=4 April 2025}} On 8 April, Han announced that elections to replace Yoon would be held on 3 June 2025.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cd7ve4qnlw9o |title=South Korea to hold presidential election on 3 June |work=BBC |date=8 April 2025}} On 11 April, Yoon and his wife vacated the official residence and moved back to their personal accommodation in Gangnam, Seoul.{{Cite web |title=South Korea’s ousted Yoon moves back to apartment with 11 pets and security personnel |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2025/04/11/asia/south-korea-yoon-moves-back-to-apartment-with-11-pets-security-intl/index.html |access-date=12 April 2025 |website=CNN |language=en}}

Yoon announced on 4 April that he would recognize the ruling. However, protests calling for nullification continued.{{Cite web |title=Thousands hit the streets for South Korea's impeached ex-president Yoon |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/4/5/thousands-hit-the-streets-for-south-koreas-impeached-ex-president-yoon |access-date=6 April 2025 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}}

=Constitutional amendment=

In order to avert a similar future crisis, National Assembly speaker Woo Won-shik proposed holding a referendum on a constitutional amendment alongside the snap presidential election.{{Cite web |last=고경주 |date=2025-04-06 |title=우원식 국회의장 “대선·개헌 동시투표 하자” 긴급회견 |url=https://www.hani.co.kr/arti/politics/politics_general/1190950.html |access-date=2025-04-10 |website=한겨레 |language=ko}} Among the proposals included were reducing the presidential term from five years to four, transferring oversight of the Board of Audit and Inspection to the National Assembly, allowing MPs to nominate the prime minister, introducing a runoff voting system, and strengthening local autonomy and basic rights. However, on 7 April the DPK rejected the proposal to hold a referendum alongside the snap election, with DPK leader Lee Jae-myung saying that the proposals were highly divisive and would heighten tensions during the campaign.{{Cite news |date=7 April 2025 |title=Constitutional reform drive falters as DPK rejects referendum |url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/southkorea/politics/20250407/south-koreas-constitutional-reform-drive-in-doubt-as-dpk-blocks-referendum |access-date=7 April 2025 |work=The Korea Times |language=en}} Lee also said that it was more urgent to resolve the crime of rebellion and prevent the destruction of democracy.{{Cite news|date=8 April 2025|script-title=ko:이재명 "개헌 필요하지만…지금은 내란종식이 먼저"|trans-title=Lee Jae-myung "Constitutional amendment is necessary, but...now the end of rebellion comes first" |url=https://www.chosun.com/politics/assembly/2025/04/07/N6H7TNCPLVBHHPRAFFYLNBDGUE/|last1= |first1= |access-date=8 April 2025|language=ko|work=The Chosun Ilbo}} Following this, Woo withdrew his proposal for a simultaneous vote.{{Cite news|date=6 April 2025|script-title=ko:우의장, '대선·개헌 동시 투표' 제안 철회…"대선 후 본격 논의" |trans-title=Woo withdraws the proposal for 'simultaneous voting on the presidential election and constitutional amendment'... "Full-scale discussion after the presidential election" |url=https://news.jtbc.co.kr/article/NB12242049 |access-date=9 April 2025|language=ko|work=JTBC }}