South Korea’s Top Court Fires Impeached President

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News

SEOUL (Worthy News) – Thousands of protesters cheered in Seoul Friday as they watched a broadcast announcing that South Korea’s top court voted unanimously to dismiss the country’s impeached president, Yoon Suk Yeol.

The move cleared the way for the key U.S. ally to elect a new leader following months of political turmoil that tested the Asian nation’s democratic credentials.

In a ruling that millions of South Koreans watched on live television, the Constitutional Court’s eight justices endorsed the National Assembly’s decision to impeach Yoon for his “failed attempt” to place his country under martial law in December.

With that ruling, Yoon, suspended from office since the parliamentary vote on December 14, was formally unseated.

The unanimous verdict comes more than three months after the opposition-controlled National Assembly voted to impeach Yoon.

South Korea must now hold a national election within two months to find a new president. Surveys show that Lee Jae-myung, leader of the leading liberal opposition Democratic Party, was the early favorite candidate to become the country’s next president.

A massive crowd of anti-Yoon protesters gathering outside the Constitutional Court cheered and shook their fists when the decision was announced.

Some were seen in tears as they hugged each other. One protest leader led the chant, “We won!”

There were also cheers, applause, and sighs of relief among those watching at Seoul Station, the city’s central transit hub when people heard the court‘s ruling.

Copyright 1999-2025 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.


Latest News from Worthy News

Israel, Turkey Talks On Avoiding Military Clash Over Syria
Israel, Turkey Talks On Avoiding Military Clash Over Syria

Encouraged by U.S. President Donald J. Trump, Israel and Turkey have been holding direct talks on Syria to avoid the risk of a military confrontation, say sources familiar with the discussions.

Youth With A Mission ‘Regrets Spiritual Abuse, Manipulation’ Closes Location (Worthy News Investigation)
Youth With A Mission ‘Regrets Spiritual Abuse, Manipulation’ Closes Location (Worthy News Investigation)

The England branch of Youth With A Mission (YWAM), one of the world’s largest Christian mission groups, says they “deeply regret” that several of its young missionaries “had harmful experiences of spiritual abuse and manipulation,” adding that a YWAM location where the wrongdoings occurred has been closed.

Netanyahu Advocates for ‘Libyan-Style’ Dismantling of Iran’s Nuclear Program
Netanyahu Advocates for ‘Libyan-Style’ Dismantling of Iran’s Nuclear Program

After meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington D.C., Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned on Tuesday of the dangers of a nuclear Iran as he prepared to depart for Israel. He emphasized that Iran “must not have nuclear weapons,” stating the goal could be achieved either diplomatically or militarily.

High Court Temporarily Blocks Netanyahu from Dismissing Security Chief After Turbulent Hearing
High Court Temporarily Blocks Netanyahu from Dismissing Security Chief After Turbulent Hearing

The Israeli High Court of Justice issued an interim injunction on Tuesday to keep Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar in office and urged the government and the Attorney-General’s Office to devise a “creative solution” by April 20 regarding his contested dismissal last month.

Scores Killed In Nightclub Roof Collapse In Dominican Republic
Scores Killed In Nightclub Roof Collapse In Dominican Republic

Rescuers frantically searched for survivors after a deadly roof collapse at an iconic nightclub in the Dominican Republic’s capital killed at least 67 people, including politicians, athletes, and others attending a merengue concert.

Trump Tariffs Set 12:01 A.M. Wednesday, Stocks Suffer After Rally
Trump Tariffs Set 12:01 A.M. Wednesday, Stocks Suffer After Rally

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed that President Donald J. Trump’s tariffs, including the steep duties set for Chinese imports, will go into effect just after midnight (Eastern Standard Time), stalling a big bounce-back rally on Wall Street Tuesday.

White House Says China Can’t Avoid 104% Retaliatory Tariffs
White House Says China Can’t Avoid 104% Retaliatory Tariffs

The White House said Tuesday that President Donald Trump remains willing to make deals with other nations, but only if doing so will help American workers and address U.S. trade deficits.