South Korea: Finally, court removes President Yoon

Embattled South Korean President, Yoon Suk Yeol on Friday was ousted by the Constitutional Court, which upheld parliament’s impeachment motion over his short-lived imposition of martial law last year that triggered the country’s worst political crisis in decades.

According to the country’s constitution, with Yoon’s removal, a presidential election is required to take place within 60 days.

However, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo will continue to serve as acting president until the new president is inaugurated.

Acting Chief Justice Moon Hyung-bae said Yoon violated his duty as president by taking actions that were beyond the powers given to him under the Constitution, and the effect of his actions was a serious challenge to democracy.

He added that by declaring martial law, Yoon created chaos in all areas of society, the economy, foreign policy.

“Yoon committed a grave betrayal of the people’s trust who are the sovereign members of the democratic republic,” he said.

Meanwhile, thousands of people at a rally calling for Yoon’s ouster, including hundreds who had camped out overnight, erupted into wild cheers on hearing the ruling, chanting “We won!”

The ruling caps months of political turmoil that have overshadowed efforts to deal with the new administration of US President Donald Trump at a time of slowing growth.