-
S. Korea turns page, but deep division remains
Tension likely to ease with Yoon’s fate determined, but political groups to remain on edge as early presidential election In a dramatic and polarizing moment in Korea's democracy, President Yoon Suk-yeol was officially dismissed from office Friday, just eight years after former President Park Geun-hye was ousted in 2017. Political observers expect street-level confrontations over the impeachment to ease as attentions turn to the early presidential election due in just two months. But they warned
April 4, 2025 -
Yoon Suk Yeol to receive state protection for up to 10 years as ex-president
Ex-President Yoon Suk Yeol has been removed from power and lost the rights and privileges previously bestowed upon him as South Korea's president, but he will still be subject to protection provided by the Presidential Security Service as a former leader. The Presidential Security Act states in the Article 4-3 that a president and his or her spouse shall be protected by the presidential bodyguards for 10 years after their term is concluded. If the president steps down from office before the end
April 4, 2025 -
PPP accepts, DP hails Yoon Suk Yeol's removal
Democratic Party of Korea rushes into election mode The People Power Party on Friday said it would accept President Yoon Suk Yeol's removal from office after the Constitutional Court ruled to uphold the his impeachment. Rep. Kwon Young-se, the People Power Party leader, said the party "humbly accepts" the Constitutional Court's decision, adding, "We sincerely apologize to the people." Kwon said the verdict from the Constitutional Court must be respected regardless of differences in opinions and
April 4, 2025 -
Prime minister commits to stability ahead of power transition
Yoon's reform efforts likely to end without significant progress Acting President Han Duck-soo said the government would respect the Constitutional Court's ruling to uphold former President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment, stressing the need to overcome political division. Shortly after the ruling was delivered, Han said in a televised address that he would work to manage the presidential election to establish a new administration. By law, South Korea must hold a presidential election within 60 days
April 4, 2025 -
Finance minister to convene emergency meeting following Yoon's impeachment
Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok will convene an emergency meeting with key economic officials Friday to assess market conditions following the Constitutional Court's ruling on the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol. In a unanimous verdict, the Constitutional Court removed Yoon from office over his shocking declaration of martial law on Dec. 3, which sparked political turmoil and dealt a blow to the economy. The meeting will include the heads of the Bank of Korea, the Financial Services Commis
April 4, 2025 -
Election to pick new president likely in early June
Election to be held within 60 days; Acting President Han to announce exact date in next 10 days Now that Yoon Suk Yeol's presidential term cut short by two years, with the Constitutional Court confirming his dismissal Friday, South Korea will hold a new presidential election likely in June. The exact date of the election is undecided as of now. Acting President Han Duck-soo is obligated to announce it in the next 10 days. This is according to the nation's law on replacing a president whose autho
April 4, 2025 -
Yoon Suk Yeol: From star prosecutor to ousted president
Yoon's criminal trial for insurrection to kick off soon, which could result in life imprisonment When Yoon Suk Yeol was elected as president in 2022, South Korean voters never expected him to meet a fate similar to that of the previous conservative leader Park Geun-hye. Once touted as an “anticorruption” investigator who put two of the country’s ex-presidents — Park and Lee Myung-bak — behind bars, Yoon’s popularity began to drastically fall even before taking office. It had seemed like the 64-y
April 4, 2025 -
S. Korea's four-month political saga: Twists and turns in photos
A photo recap of four months of political chaos in South Korea, from martial law to today's verdict of Yoon's impeachment and his removal South Korea just removed its president in a historic, sometimes chaotic impeachment saga. After months of turmoil, protests and a high-stakes trial, the Constitutional Court ruled today to oust President Yoon Suk Yeol. Here’s what happened over the past 122 days — from Dec. 3, 2024 to April 4, 2025 — in photos. Dec. 3-14: Martial law, political meltdown, impea
April 4, 2025 -
Yoon Suk Yeol impeachment ruling as it happened
This live coverage has ended. You can find latest news on Yoon Suk Yeol impeachment here. South Korea's Constitutional Court on Friday removed President Yoon Suk Yeol from office in a historic ruling. Yoon tells ruling party leaders: 'Win the next election' 5:00 p.m. The ousted former President Yoon Suk Yeol met with People Power Party leaders Friday and told them he hopes the party wins the presidential election to choose his successor. People Power Party leaders Reps. Kwon Young-se and Kweon S
April 4, 2025 -
Tense morning scenes, as S. Korea awaits Yoon's impeachment verdict
Seoul's usually-busy morning scenes in central areas were replaced by a heightened police presence Friday morning, as South Korea awaits the Constitutional Court's 11 a.m. ruling on President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment. Anguk Station of Seoul Subway Line No. 3 is a stone's throw away from the Constitutional Court where the historic ruling will be announced. As of 4 p.m. Thursday, it has been mostly empty except for a few protestors who held all-night demonstrations and a large group of police a
April 4, 2025 -
57% of Koreans want Yoon out: survey
Support for Yoon's dismissal has consistently outnumbered support for his return to office in polls The latest public opinion survey, released just one day before the Constitutional Court's pivotal ruling on President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment, showed that 57 percent of South Koreans support his removal from office, while 35 percent favor his reinstatement. According to the NBS poll, released Thursday, respondents who believe "the Constitutional Court should uphold the parliament's impeachment
April 4, 2025 -
Impeachment verdict day arrives
Constitutional Court to determine fate of President Yoon Suk Yeol four months after he set off political storm with surprise martial law declaration Exactly 122 days after the surreal night of martial law, South Koreans will finally learn whether Yoon Suk Yeol will continue to serve as their president today. At 11 a.m. in a ruling to be broadcast live on TV, the Constitutional Court will deliver its decision on President Yoon’s impeachment. Yoon’s legal team confirmed Thursday that he will not a
April 4, 2025 -
Ruling party head proposes shortening presidential term if Yoon reinstated
The ruling People Power Party leader Rep. Kwon Young-se said Thursday that the party would push for a constitutional amendment to shorten the presidential term if suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol is reinstated following the Constitutional Court's ruling on his impeachment Friday. "The president himself has said that he would not dwell on his term in office. The party will do our best to craft a Constitution that aligns with the spirit of the times and reflects the will of the people,” Kwon said
April 3, 2025 -
Liberals win big in by-elections for municipal leaders
The People Power Party suffered another set of by-election defeats Wednesday, as the ruling party lost local government leadership positions to the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea. The conservative party's interim leader Rep. Kwon Young-se said in a party meeting Thursday that he would "take the election result seriously." Wednesday's elections were the first since President Yoon Suk Yeol's short-lived imposition of martial law on Dec. 3. The results suggest that liberal figures are to
April 3, 2025 -
Acting president calls for natl. unity on anniv. of Jeju uprising
Acting President Han Duck-soo called for national unity on Thursday as he marked the anniversary of a civilian uprising on Jeju Island in 1948. Han issued the call during a ceremony commemorating the April 3, 1948, uprising that formed part of a seven-year-long struggle by Jeju islanders against US military-led rule in the wake of Korea's liberation from Japanese occupation. "National cohesion is extremely urgent at this time," the acting president said in a speech from the Jeju 4.3 Peace Park o
April 3, 2025