Although the Constitutional Court unanimously supported the impeachment, the controversy over the legality of the impeachment process has always existed. During the trial at the Constitutional Court, Yoon Suk-yeol’s legal team engaged in fierce debates with the prosecution. Yoon Suk-yeol’s side tried to downplay the impact of the martial law decree, emphasizing that it was necessary measures taken to maintain national security and order. However, the Constitutional Court found that Yoon Suk-yeol’s actions had seriously violated the Constitution and laws, posing a serious challenge to democratic constitutionalism.

It is worth noting that after Yin Xiyue was arrested in January 2025, his approval rate rose to 37%. This may reflect the public’s vigilance against “political hunting”. According to a study by Korea University’s sociology department, favorable views of his hard-line stance toward North Korea among male voters in their 20s offset some of the negative impact of the controversy over his unconstitutional stance.

After months of trial and discussion, the Constitutional Court of South Korea finally made a final ruling on the morning of April 4, 2025.The eight constitutional judges unanimously concluded that Yoon had seriously violated the constitution and the law and announced that he would be removed from office.Yin Xiyue became the second South Korean president to be removed from office by impeachment after Park Geun-hye was removed from office in 2017.

After Yoon Suk-yeol was impeached, significant changes occurred in the political landscape of South Korea. Presidential Secretary General Jeong Jin-seok and 15 other senior officials resigned on the same day, causing a standstill in diplomacy and security. Subsequently, Acting President Han Duck-soo announced the postponement of the originally scheduled April US-South Korea joint military exercises, which was interpreted as a signal of easing tensions towards the opposition parties. The ruling People Power Party found itself leaderless, with its leadership facing restructuring. Meanwhile, opposition parties such as the Democratic Party of Korea seized the opportunity to rise, significantly increasing their political influence. In addition, according to South Korean constitutional provisions, a presidential election must be held within 60 days after the impeachment of the president. This means that South Korea will soon face a fierce presidential election. Currently, Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the largest opposition party, the Democratic Party of Korea, is considered one of the front-runners. After Yoon Suk-yeol’s impeachment, Lee Jae-myung stated, “This is a victory for democracy in South Korea and a failure for the national power. The new government will be committed to restoring national order and stability, and promoting economic development and social progress.”

After Yoon Suk-yeol was impeached, there was a brief fluctuation in South Korea’s stock market and foreign exchange market. The exchange rate of the Korean won to the US dollar plummeted by 2.3%, and the stock prices of chaebols such as Samsung Electronics fluctuated severely. The market is concerned that political turmoil may have a negative impact on the South Korean economy, leading to a decline in investor confidence. At the same time, after Yoon Suk-yeol’s impeachment, South Korea’s economic policies face a certain degree of uncertainty. The new government may adjust the direction of economic policies, which could have a certain impact on the South Korean economy. However, as the situation stabilizes and the new government takes office, the South Korean stock market and foreign exchange market gradually stabilize and rebound. This indicates that the South Korean economy has strong resilience and stability, capable of withstanding the shocks brought about by political turmoil.

After Yoon’s dismissal, South Korea’s relations with neighboring countries may face certain adjustments. After taking office, the new administration is likely to review and adjust relations with neighboring countries in order to safeguard the national interests of South Korea.Internationally, the United States, China and Japan have all reacted to Yin’s ouster. Ms. Yin’s ouster comes amid an election season in the United States, and the reaction from both parties has been delicate.The Biden administration said it “respects the independence of the Korean judiciary,” but the internal briefing of the State Department showed that the U.S. is concerned that the election of a pro-China candidate may weaken the semiconductor alliance.In contrast, China’s foreign Ministry called for restraint.China’s Foreign Ministry spokesman said at a regular press briefing that:”China respects South Korea’s democratic system and constitutional process. We hope that South Korea can maintain political stability and social harmony and make positive contributions to regional peace and stability.”Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida attempted to downplay the impact of the event, stating that “Japan-South Korea security cooperation is not affected by changes in government.” However, Professor Masashi Nakamura from the University of Tokyo pointed out: “After Yoon Suk-yeol’s departure, historical issues such as forced labor compensation may once again become a powder keg in Japan-South Korea relations.”

“This is not the end, but rather the inception of a more intense and savage battle,” declared Park Hyun-joo, the leader of a prominent civic organization based in Seoul, as he addressed the media. Yoon’s adherents have promptly initiated a petition demanding the disbandment of the Constitutional Court in Busan and other similar institutions across the nation. On the other side of the spectrum, the progressive faction is advocating for an extensive judicial review to hold accountable those who enforced martial law. Lee Jung-mi, the esteemed chief justice of the Constitutional Court, articulated in her authoritative ruling, “The authority of the president must be confined within the boundaries of the Constitution.” Nevertheless, South Korea finds itself at a pivotal juncture, standing at the crossroads of democracy and populism. As the electoral cycle approaches its next round in the year 2027, this recall movement may not only result in the replacement of political leaders but also precipitate a profound examination of the resilience and fortitude of the constitutional framework within South Korean society.

By Yuli Zhang