South Korea is bracing for a constitutional showdown as the eight-member Constitutional Court prepares to decide on the fate of President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment. The court’s decision will have far-reaching implications, not only for Mr. Yoon but also for the country’s fragile democracy.
Mr. Yoon was impeached and suspended from office in December for declaring martial law, a move that has sparked intense protests and rivalries between citizens who demand his ouster or reinstatement. The stakes are high, with hard-liners on both sides warning of “civil war” if their demands are not met.
If Mr. Yoon is removed from office, it would be another blow to the conservative camp in South Korea, which has seen three of its leaders ousted or imprisoned in recent years. However, his lawyers claim he will defend himself and that the court’s decision could set a precedent for future leaders to use martial law as a political tool.
The Constitutional Court has become a crucial institution in South Korean politics, handling a growing number of cases involving impeached officials and judges. Its decision will depend on whether Mr. Yoon committed constitutional and legal offenses during his time in office, as well as the potential impact on the country’s stability.
Prosecutors argue that Mr. Yoon committed insurrection by sending armed troops into the National Assembly, while others claim he violated the Constitution by banning political activities and placing the news media under military control. The court will ultimately decide whether to remove or reinstate Mr. Yoon, a decision that could have far-reaching consequences for South Korea’s democracy.
With the court’s deliberations set to begin on Tuesday, citizens are holding their breaths as they wait to see how this critical chapter in South Korean politics will unfold.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/13/world/asia/south-korea-yoon-court-impeachment.html