Why South Korea's president Yoon Suk Yeol has been removed from office over martial law

A South Korean court has upheld the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol, months after he shocked the country by declaring martial law.

The country's parliament initially voted to impeach the leader on 14 December, and he has now been permanently removed, with the constitutional court ruling that he violated the constitution by "mobilising military and police forces to obstruct the exercise of legislative authority".

His martial law declaration plunged the country into a constitutional crisis as soldiers clashed with protesters on the streets of the capital Seoul.

Mr Yoon is also facing criminal charges of rebellion in connection with the martial law declaration, which is punishable by death or a life sentence.

Here we explain how things got to this point - and what happens now.

President declares martial law

Mr Yoon declared martial law in a TV address on 3 December 2024, giving the military commander unlimited authority to make and enforce laws.

Martial law suspends all existing laws - meaning there can be a suspension of normal civil rights and military law can be enforced on the civilian population.

The step is taken when the civilian authorities are deemed unable to function, and is usually only invoked in times of war, rebellion or natural disaster.

The surprise move was the first declaration of martial law since the country's democratisation in 1987.

Mr Yoon maintained that imposing martial law was needed to defend the country from nuclear-armed North Korea and pro-North anti-state forces, and protect its free constitutional order, although he cited no specific threats.

But critics say the move was an attempt to thwart his political opponents.

Outbreak of mass protests

Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung said in December that the declaration of martial law was "unconstitutional" and called for the public to protest outside parliament in Seoul.

Even some members of the Mr Yoon's own party, including its leader Han Dong-hoon, spoke out against him.

In the days that followed, huge crowds clashed with police officers and soldiers trying to enforce martial law outside the National Assembly.

Some protesters were seen blocking military vehicles from moving, while military helicopters were seen flying above.

Mr Yoon had ordered in his declaration that all political party and parliamentary activities cease, but around six hours after it was declared, MPs voted to block the martial law decree.

Multiple attempts to arrest president Yoon

After declaring martial law, the Corruption Investigation Office launched an investigation into Mr Yoon over the abuse of authority and orchestrating a rebellion.

He avoided several requests to appear for questioning and also blocked searches of his offices, which ultimately led to the corruption office issuing a warrant for his arrest.

South Korean authorities initially failed to detain Mr Yoon after a six-hour stand-off with his personal security service. It wasn't until 15 January that he was arrested at his hillside residence, where he had been holed up for weeks behind barbed wire.

Officers were able to make it onto the grounds of the property by using ladders to climb over barriers.

After being held at Seoul Detention Centre, he was charged with insurrection on 27 January.

On 5 March, Mr Yoon was released from prison so he could stand trial for rebellion without being detained. As he left the detention centre, he bowed deeply to his supporters, waving and clenching his fists.

Court vote sees president removed

Supporters and opponents of Mr Yoon gathered in their thousands in central Seoul on 4 April as they awaited the ruling on his impeachment, with his critics reacting joyfully to the court's unanimous verdict once it came through.

In a nationally televised verdict, the court's acting chief Moon Hyung-bae said: "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."

In a statement, Mr Yoon said he deeply regretted failing to live up to the public's expectations, but stopped short of explicitly accepting the verdict.

He added that he would pray for the country and its people. "It has been the greatest honour of my life to serve our nation," he said.

What happens now?

South Korea will hold a national election within two months to find a new leader.

Acting South Korean President Han Duck-soo, the former prime minister, will continue to manage presidential responsibilities until an official election result.

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the main liberal opposition Democratic Party, is the early favourite to become the country's next president, according to surveys.

But the country is deeply divided, with many supporters seen on the streets crying at the decision to oust Mr Yoon, as others celebrated.

Alongside the rebellion charges, Mr Yoon could face other criminal charges, such as abuse of power, without presidential immunity.

(c) Sky News 2025: Why South Korea's president Yoon Suk Yeol has been removed from office over martial law