70% of workers say impeachment rallies had positive impact on S. Korean democracy

SEOUL, April 06 (AJP) - A majority of South Korean workers believe the rallies calling for the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk Yeol contributed positively to the country’s democratic development, a recent survey showed Sunday. According to a survey of one thousand working people aged 19 and more, conducted by civic group Gapjil119, 68.7 percent of respondents agreed that the rallies had a positive impact on the development of democracy in South Korean society. Femal

April 6, 2025

National Assembly speaker proposes constitutional referendum alongside presidential election

SEOUL, April 06 (AJP) - National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-sik proposed Sunday holding a constitutional referendum on the same day as South Korea's upcoming presidential election, following the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol. Speaking at an emergency press conference at the National Assembly, Woo emphasized the need for constitutional reform to reinforce the separation of powers and to better reflect popular sovereignty and national unity. "We need to strengthen th

April 6, 2025

Former Defense Minister urges resistance against Yoon impeachment decision

SEOUL, April 5 (AJP) - Former South Korean Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, currently imprisoned on charges of insurrection, has publicly called for resistance against the Constitutional Court's decision to impeach former President Yoon Suk Yeol. The incendiary letter was read aloud at a rally organized by the National Movement Headquarters to Establish the Republic of Korea, led by Jeon Kwang-hoon, in Gwanghwamun on Saturday, just one day after the impeachment verdict. "

April 5, 2025

Pro and anti-impeachment rallies continue in Seoul despite verdict

SEOUL, April 5 (AJP) - Seoul's streets are set to witness contrasting demonstrations on Saturday as supporters and opponents of former President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment gather despite yesterday's final Constitutional Court ruling that removed him from office. The pro-impeachment BISANG Action for Yoon Out and Social Reform plans a victory march near Gyeongbok Palace with about 100,000 expected participants, while the Candleact group has announced a separate 10,000-pe

April 5, 2025

Young adults emerge as rising political force following impeachment crisis

SEOUL, April 5 (AJP) - South Korea's political landscape is witnessing a significant shift as adults in their 20s have emerged as a potent political force following four months of martial law and presidential impeachment proceedings. Traditionally viewed as politically apathetic, with only 52.4 percent voting in last year's 22nd general election, young South Koreans have defied expectations by taking to the streets in unprecedented numbers. Young women wielding colorful ligh

April 5, 2025

Psychological division becomes Korea's biggest social challenge after impeachment

SEOUL, April 5 (AJP) - South Korea is grappling with a "psychological division" following the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol, with deeply entrenched political divisions tearing at the nation's social fabric. Though the impeachment on Friday has resolved months of uncertainty that had paralyzed the country since martial law was declared in December 2024, it has simultaneously intensified the hostility between opposing political factions to unprecedented levels.

April 5, 2025

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