Full ruling: Constitutional Court removes President Yoon Suk Yeol from office

SEOUL, April 04 (AJP) - The Constitutional Court unanimously ruled on April 4 to remove President Yoon Suk Yeol from office. Below is the full summary of the ruling read aloud by Acting Chief Justice Moon Hyung-bae in the Grand Chamber. The petitioner is the National Assembly. The respondent is former President Yoon. --- We now begin the ruling on case 2024Hun-Na8 regarding the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol. First, on procedural legitimacy: The declar

April 4, 2025

What lies ahead for impeached Yoon?

SEOUL, April 4 (AJP) - As the Constitutional Court of Korea on Friday unanimously upheld President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment over his botched martial law debacle late last month, Yoon became the second president to be forced out of office in the country's turbulent modern history, after former disgraced President Park Geun-hye in March 2017. Several hours after the court's verdict, which came about four months after the National Assembly voted to impeach him on Dec. 14

April 4, 2025

Yoon supporters decry verdict, vow to rally in Gwanghwamun Saturday

SEOUL, April 4 (AJP) - Supporters of President Yoon Suk Yeol voiced shock and dismay after the Constitutional Court voted unanimously to uphold his impeachment, ending his presidency, Friday. An estimated 15,000 people gathered near the presidential residence beginning at 10 a.m., awaiting the court’s decision. When Acting Chief Justice Moon Hyung-bae announced the verdict, the crowd reacted with anguish — some collapsing to the ground, others crying openly. Emotions

April 4, 2025

Acting President vows smooth transfer of power after Yoon's impeachment

SEOUL, April 4 (AJP) - Acting President Han Duck-soo on Friday pledged to ensure the stability of the government and a smooth transfer of power after the Constitutional Court of Korea unanimously upheld President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment. Urging the public to respect the court's decision, he said, "I will strictly abide by the rule of law to help ensure the speedy transfer to the incoming administration," and vowed to oversee a "smooth and fair presidential

April 4, 2025

Constitutional Court ousts President Yoon Suk Yeol

SEOUL, April 4 (AJP) - The Constitutional Court of Korea on Friday unanimously upheld the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol over his botched martial law debacle late last year. In a 20-minute-long verdict read out live on television, presiding justice Moon Hyung-bae began by explaining the trial's constitutional and procedural legality before delivering the court's decision. Moon said that Yoon's impeachment trial over his Dec. 3 declaration of martial law fulfil

April 4, 2025

PHOTOS: Constitutional Court unanimously removes President Yoon Suk Yeol from office

SEOUL, April 04 (AJP) -

April 4, 2025

Early presidential election looms with opposition leader Lee Jae-myung leading the race

SEOUL, April 4 (AJP) - South Korea is now headed for an early presidential election, after the Constitutional Court on Friday upheld the National Assembly’s impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol. The court's decision immediately strips Yoon of his presidential powers, triggering a nationwide vote that must be held within 60 days under the Constitution. The landmark ruling comes four months after Yoon declared emergency martial law on Dec. 3, a move that shocked the coun

April 4, 2025

President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment upheld

SEOUL, April 4 (AJP) - The Constitutional Court of Korea on Friday unanimously upheld the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol over his botched martial law debacle late last year. In a verdict read out live on television, presiding justice Moon Hyung-bae began by explaining the trial's constitutional and procedural legality before handing down the court's decision. Moon said Yoon's impeachment trial over his Dec. 3 declaration of martial law deemed lawful, dismissin

April 4, 2025

Police on highest alert nationwide ahead of impeachment ruling

SEOUL, April 04 (AJP) - As South Korea awaits the Constitutional Court’s ruling on President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment, police have been placed on the highest emergency alert across the country starting midnight on Apr. 4. The top-level alert, known as "Gapho Emergency," allows authorities to mobilize 100 percent of available police forces. Officers are barred from taking leave, and commanding staff are required to remain in constant communication and on st

April 4, 2025

Over 80 billion won raised for wildfire victims as donations continue to pour in

SEOUL, April 3 (AJP) - After a spate of massive wildfires that devastated the southern part of the country late last month, over 80 billion won has been donated to support recovery efforts. According to the Central Disaster and Safety Countermeasures Headquarters, the total donations collected through various charity organizations reached about 84.12 billion won (US$61 million) as of Thursday. The blazes that began in Sancheong, South Gyeongsang Province, on March 21 and Uiseong,

April 3, 2025