South Korea’s Constitutional Court Begins Historic Impeachment Trial of President Yoon Suk Yeol

South Korea’s constitutional court has launched trial proceedings to determine the fate of President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was impeached last Saturday after declaring martial law, a decision that plunged the nation into political chaos.

The impeachment motion, passed amid widespread protests demanding Yoon’s resignation, marks a pivotal moment in the country’s political history. The court now has six months to decide whether to uphold the impeachment and permanently remove Yoon from office or reinstate him.

Yoon’s ruling People Power Party (PPP) has been thrown into turmoil following the impeachment. Party leader Han Dong-hoon announced his resignation on Monday, acknowledging his inability to navigate the crisis. “I sincerely apologise to all the people who are suffering from this emergency situation,” Han said during a televised press conference.

The PPP is grappling with deep divisions, as 12 party lawmakers reportedly voted in favor of impeachment, enabling the motion to pass, despite most PPP members opposing it. Han, initially a Yoon loyalist, shocked many by switching sides and calling for impeachment, arguing it was the only way to halt Yoon’s escalating defiance.

The impeachment has also led to a mass resignation of the party’s Supreme Council members, effectively dissolving the party’s leadership. Protesters, meanwhile, continue to demand swift action from the court, vowing to maintain pressure until Yoon is permanently removed from power.

The constitutional court faces unique challenges in this trial. Only six of the nine judicial seats are currently filled, raising questions about the trial’s legitimacy. However, the court has asserted its authority to proceed with the reduced bench, setting a preliminary hearing for December 27.

The stakes are high. If the court upholds Yoon’s impeachment, South Korea will need to hold fresh presidential elections within 60 days. In the interim, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo is acting as president.

Yoon’s impeachment marks the third time in South Korea’s democratic history that a president has faced such proceedings. Of the two previous cases, the court upheld one and reversed the other.

President Yoon remains defiant, defending his decision to impose martial law and pledging to fight the impeachment to the end. On Sunday, he ignored a summons to meet prosecutors in Seoul and is expected to face a second order for questioning this week. If he continues to resist, authorities may move to arrest him.

Yoon’s fiery rhetoric has intensified the crisis, with his actions drawing sharp criticism from across the political spectrum.

As South Korea awaits the court’s decision, the political uncertainty is taking a toll on the nation. The PPP, once the pillar of Yoon’s presidency, is in disarray. Public discontent continues to simmer, with protesters occupying central squares in Seoul and other major cities.

Political analysts warn that the court’s decision will shape South Korea’s democracy for years to come. For now, all eyes are on the constitutional court as it navigates the daunting task of resolving one of the nation’s most contentious political crises.

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