South Korea’s Constitution in Action

President Yoon Suk-yeol Officially Removed from Office on April 4, 2025, at 11:22 AM

On April 4, 2025, at exactly 11:22 AM, the Constitutional Court of South Korea unanimously ruled (8-0) to remove President Yoon Suk-yeol from office.
This was not just a leadership transition—it was a moment that affirmed the Constitution’s authority and the people’s power to uphold it.

Across the country, citizens anxiously watched the live broadcast.
When the word “removed” was finally spoken, spontaneous cheers, tears, and embraces broke out in places like Gwanghwamun Square, Seoul Station, and Jeonju.
This was not simply a reaction to a political event, but a collective release of tension and a sense of justice restored.

🧑‍⚖️ Why Was President Yoon Removed?

At the heart of the ruling was President Yoon’s attempt to declare martial law in December 2024, a move the Court found to be a serious violation of the Constitution.

Yoon acted without consulting the National Assembly,
His decision appeared to be a strategy to suppress political opposition by force,
The Court concluded that he had disrupted constitutional order and undermined democratic principles.

Martial law was withdrawn within hours, but only after public backlash, passive resistance from the military and police, and a repeal vote by the National Assembly.
The Court emphasized that President Yoon played no role in resolving the crisis.

Citizens gathered at the Constitutional Court from early morning — some stayed overnight in protest.

📍 “I waited four months just to hear that one word: removed.”

In front of the Constitutional Court, and across major locations like Anguk Station and Seoul Station, citizens had been waiting for hours—some even for months.
Some had camped out overnight, while others had joined peaceful protests since December.

As the decision was read aloud, many citizens burst into tears.
One protester shared in an interview:

“It took almost four months just to get to this point. The moment I heard the word ‘removed,’ I broke into tears—it felt like everything we endured finally had meaning.”
(Source: MBC News)

⚖️ A Clear and Powerful Verdict

The Constitutional Court’s verdict was praised for its clarity and calm tone.
While Yoon’s legal team argued that a short-lived martial law attempt was not a serious offense,
the Court ruled otherwise.

The judges stated that the attempt to use military force to resolve political disputes was unconstitutional,
Yoon failed to de-escalate the situation,
The Constitutional process, public resistance, and institutional restraint—not presidential action—resolved the crisis.

This ruling reinforced a core principle of democracy: no one, not even a president, is above the law.

🌏 How the World Responded

International media followed the ruling closely:

The BBC broadcast images of cheering crowds and described the scene as
“like a World Cup goal had been scored.”
Reuters titled their article: “Yoon loses his dangerous gamble.”
AP emphasized how the martial law attempt resurfaced national trauma from South Korea’s authoritarian past.

Japan and China’s Reactions

Japanese broadcasters livestreamed the court proceedings and reported that
criminal trials for insurrection will proceed separately, even after impeachment.
Prime Minister Ibashikeru stated that 2025 marks the 60th anniversary of Korea-Japan relations,
and that diplomatic cooperation would continue regardless of political change.
China’s Xinhua News Agency reported that Yoon was forced to leave the presidential residence
with minimal security, now a private citizen under criminal investigation.
On Chinese social media, “Yoon Impeached” became the top trending search.
Comments included: “Being president of South Korea is the world’s most dangerous job,”
and, “This was a democratic process, and it deserves respect.”

🧭 What Comes Next for South Korea?

With this ruling, Yoon is now stripped of presidential authority and no longer has legal immunity.
He faces formal criminal charges for insurrection, with the possibility of life imprisonment if convicted.

This moment is not just about one leader.
It also poses a serious challenge to the ruling People Power Party (PPP),
which now must decide whether to distance itself from Yoon or embrace his remaining support base.

Leading up to the verdict, polls showed that a majority of Koreans supported impeachment,
while Yoon’s approval rating remained in the low 30% range.
Some support consolidated in recent weeks, but the decision reflected the public’s desire to protect constitutional order.

✅ Final Thoughts: Democracy Is Maintained by Process and Accountability

The Constitutional Court’s ruling is a reminder that democracy is not self-sustaining.
It requires functioning institutions, an engaged public, and the willingness to hold even the most powerful accountable.

April 4, 2025 will be remembered as a day when
South Korea upheld its Constitution, not by chance, but by civic will and institutional integrity.

Presidential elections must now be held within 60 days.
But beyond the vote itself, this is a moment of reflection—
on what kind of democracy South Korea wants to protect and build for the future.

April 4: How South Korea Made History