The Republic of Korea’s (ROK) Constitutional Court began impeachment proceedings on Monday against President Yoon Suk Yeol, whose declaration of martial law and subsequent suspension have plunged the country into political chaos, BBC reported.
Lawmakers voted to impeach Yeol last Saturday, triggering nationwide protests and leaving the country’s leading People Power Party (PPP) in disarray.
The court has six months to rule whether to uphold Yeol’s impeachment or reinstate him. Until then, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo is acting as interim president. Protesters are keeping up pressure on the court, demanding Yeol’s permanent removal.
Although the Constitutional Court currently operates with only six of its nine required justices, officials announced the trial could proceed under these circumstances. The first preliminary hearing is set for December 27.
If the court upholds Yeol’s impeachment, ROK must hold new presidential elections within 60 days. However, a decision could take months, prolonging uncertainty in a nation already divided over Yeol’s leadership.
The fallout
The ruling PPP has struggled to contain the fallout. Party leader Han Dong-hoon resigned Monday, citing his inability to manage the crisis.
“I sincerely apologize to all the people suffering from this emergency situation,” Han said during a televised press conference. He faced growing pressure to step down, particularly from the party’s pro-Yeol faction, which has criticized his role in pushing for Yeol’s impeachment.
Han initially supported Yeol but reversed course after the president refused to resign voluntarily. He called for impeachment as a last-ditch effort to remove Yeol, sparking a divide within the party. On Saturday, 12 PPP lawmakers voted in favor of impeachment, ensuring the motion’s passage.
All five members of the PPP Supreme Council resigned after the vote, effectively dissolving the party’s leadership. Han, reflecting on his decision, said, “While it pains me to think of my heartbroken supporters, I don’t regret it.”
Yeol remains defiant, continuing to defend his declaration of martial law. He declined a summons from prosecutors on Sunday and faces another order for questioning this week. If Yeol fails to comply, authorities could issue an arrest warrant.
The controversial president vowed to “fight until the end” after his impeachment. However, it remains unclear whether he will testify during court proceedings.
This is the third time a president in ROK has faced impeachment. The court overturned one previous case and upheld the other.