Suspended president removed after impeachment over martial law declaration, with acting leader Han Duck-soo to remain in office until election held
South Korea’s suspended president, Yoon Suk Yeol, has been removed from office after the country’s constitutional court voted to uphold parliament’s decision to impeach over his ill-fated declaration of martial law in December.
After weeks of deliberations and rising concern about the future of South Korean democracy, the court voted to strip Yoon of his presidential powers.
The ruling means that the acting president, Han Duck-soo, will remain in office until South Koreans elect a new president within 60 days.
The long-awaited decision on Yoon’s late-night order to impose martial law in early December has exposed deep divisions in South Korean society and alarmed the US and other allies.
His opponents and supporters have held large rallies in recent days, although an unprecedented police presence meant protesters were unable to access the immediate vicinity of the court building on Friday.
