South Korea’s Constitutional Court has commenced trial proceedings to determine the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was suspended after declaring martial law, an action that threw the nation into political turmoil.
The impeachment vote, passed by lawmakers last Saturday, followed mass protests demanding Yoon’s resignation.
The court now has six months to decide whether to permanently remove him from office or reinstate him.
Yoon’s party, the ruling People Power Party (PPP), has been grappling with the fallout. On Monday, its leader, Han Dong-hoon, announced his resignation, adding to the political upheaval.
While public hearings for the trial could stretch on for months, the court is under pressure to deliver a swift decision to resolve the uncertainty. Protesters have vowed to maintain their demonstrations until Yoon is removed.
This marks the third time a South Korean president has faced impeachment. In the two previous cases, the court upheld one impeachment and reversed the other.
Questions had arisen about whether Yoon’s trial could proceed, as the court currently operates with only six justices instead of the full nine, following the recent retirement of three judges.
However, the court confirmed on Monday that it could proceed with six judges and scheduled a preliminary hearing for December 27.
If Yoon’s impeachment is upheld, South Korea will be required to hold new presidential elections within 60 days. Until then, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo serves as acting president.
It remains unclear if Yoon will testify during the hearings.
He failed to comply with a summons from prosecutors in Seoul on Sunday and could face arrest if he does not appear for questioning this week.
Yoon has continued to defend his decision to impose martial law and, following his impeachment, vowed to “fight until the end.”
As the Constitutional Court convened on Monday, PPP leader Han Dong-hoon announced his resignation, signaling further instability within the party.
“I sincerely apologise to all the people who are suffering from this emergency situation,” Han said in a televised press conference.
Han has faced growing calls for his resignation particularly from the large pro-Yoon faction of his party, following the president’s impeachment.
Han had initially tried to stage an orderly exit for Yoon. But when it became clear that Yoon was not backing down, Han did an about-face and called for his impeachment, saying it was the only way to remove him from office.
On Saturday, 12 PPP lawmakers were believed to have voted for impeachment, enabling the motion to pass. But most of the other PPP lawmakers voted against Yoon’s impeachment.
All five Supreme Council members of the PPP said after the vote that they would resign – which would automatically dissolve the party leadership.
As the Supreme Council has been “destroyed”, Han said, it was now “impossible” to serve his duties as party chief.
“While it pains me to think of my heartbroken supporters, I don’t regret it,” Han said, in reference to his decision to call for Yoon’s impeachment.