South Korea’s constitutional court has unanimously voted to uphold the impeachment of president Yoon Suk Yeol.

There were tears of joy and sadness amongst pro-Yoon and anti-Yoon supporters, who had taken to the streets ahead of the verdict.

In his first remarks after the verdict, Yoon says he is “truly sorry” for failing to live up to the people’s expectations.

The unanimous verdict capped a dramatic fall for Mr Yoon, a former star prosecutor who went from political novice to president in 2022, just a year after he entered politics.

Mr Yoon’s ruling People Power Party said it would accept the decision, but one of Mr Yoon’s lawyers, Yoon Kap-keun, called the ruling “completely incomprehensible” and a “pure political decision”.

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

“The defendant not only declared martial law, but also violated the constitution and laws by mobilising military and police forces to obstruct the exercise of legislative authority,” Mr Moon said.

“Ultimately, the declaration of martial law in this case violated the substantive requirements for emergency martial law.

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

Prime minister Han Duck-soo, the country’s acting leader, in a televised speech vowed to ensure “there are no gaps in national security and diplomacy” and maintain public safety and order.

“Respecting the will of our sovereign people, I will do my utmost to manage the next presidential election in accordance with the constitution and the law, ensuring a smooth transition to the next administration,” Mr Han said.

At an anti-Yoon rally near the old royal palace that dominates Seoul, people erupted into jubilant tears and dancing when the verdict was announced.

Many experts say Mr Yoon’s supporters will likely intensify their rallies after the court’s decision, prolonging national division.

After abruptly declaring martial law on December 3, Mr Yoon sent hundreds of soldiers and police officers to the National Assembly.

He has argued that he sought to maintain order, but some senior military and police officers sent there have told hearings and investigators that Mr Yoon ordered them to drag out MPs to prevent an assembly vote on his decree.

Enough MPs eventually managed to get in and voted to strike down Mr Yoon’s decree unanimously.

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

Without presidential immunity, Mr Yoon could face other criminal charges, such as abuse of power.

Mr Yoon served as prosecutor-general under his predecessor, liberal president Moon Jae-in, before joining the now-ruling party in 2021 following disputes with Mr Moon’s allies.

Now that he is impeached, a snap election must be held within 60 days.

Credit: Breaking News