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South Korea’s Constitutional Court has unanimously ruled to remove President Yoon Suk Yeol from office over his martial law declaration.
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Yoon’s removal triggers fresh presidential elections, which must be held within 60 days, and he also faces a separate criminal trial on insurrection charges.
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The court’s decision was hailed as “historic” by opposition lawmakers, while Yoon’s supporters shouted threats and swore outside the court.
South Korea’s Constitutional Court has unanimously ruled to remove President Yoon Suk Yeol from office over his disastrous martial law declaration, triggering fresh elections after months of political turmoil.
Yoon, 64, was suspended by lawmakers over his December 3 attempt to subvert civilian rule, which saw armed soldiers deployed to parliament.
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“Given the serious negative impact and far-reaching consequences of the respondent’s constitutional violations. (We) dismiss respondent President Yoon Suk Yeol,” acting court President Moon Hyung-bae said while delivering the ruling. Yoon’s removal, which is effective immediately, triggers fresh presidential elections, which must be held within 60 days.
Yoon’s actions “violate the core principles of the rule of law and democratic governance”, the judges said in their ruling. Yoon sending armed soldiers to parliament in a bid to prevent lawmakers from voting down his decree “violated the political neutrality of the armed forces”. He deployed troops for “political purposes”, the judges added.
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