South Korea is set for an early presidential election following the historic impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol, who has been officially removed from office after a unanimous ruling by the Constitutional Court.

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The decision, delivered on Friday, marks the dramatic end of Yoon’s presidency, which had been suspended since December after parliament voted to impeach him over his failed attempt to impose martial law. The court’s eight-member panel upheld the charges, declaring Yoon’s actions unconstitutional and unjustifiable.

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In reading the verdict, acting court president Moon Hyung-bae declared that Yoon had "[gone] against the people he was supposed to protect." He further noted that the president’s actions "damaged people's basic political rights" and "violated the principles of the rule of law and democracy."

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The judgment sparked powerful reactions across South Korea’s capital, where thousands had gathered to watch the ruling live. Emotions ran high, with some in tears of relief and vindication, and others heartbroken at the loss of a leader they believed had been wrongly targeted.

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A fresh election must now be held within 60 days — no later than June 3 — but the country faces a deeply fractured political landscape. Yoon’s abrupt downfall has left South Korea not only leaderless but sharply divided.

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Despite overwhelming public outcry over his attempt to invoke military rule, Yoon refused to step back. He denied any wrongdoing, fought his impeachment relentlessly, and continued to promote conspiracy theories that accused political rivals of being agents of North Korea and China. He claimed these "anti-state forces" had interfered in previous elections and infiltrated state institutions.

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“Smuggled goods are crippling our local businesses, and we are determined to stop it,” he warned.

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Through repeated assertions of voter fraud and foreign influence, Yoon has become a rallying figure for South Korea’s far right. For his supporters, he is a political martyr brought down by a corrupt system, with weekly protests in central Seoul growing in size and intensity.

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These protests reflect a shifting public sentiment. A growing segment of the population no longer trusts the institutions at the heart of South Korea’s democracy. According to recent surveys, more than one-third of citizens distrust the Constitutional Court, and over a quarter question the credibility of the country’s voting system.

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Amid this climate of suspicion and unrest, the next president will inherit a nation in urgent need of reconciliation — and leadership. The new administration must also prepare for external pressures, particularly from the United States. Former President Donald Trump’s return has already strained trade relations, with fresh tariffs hitting South Korean exports of cars and steel.

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Many in Seoul fear tougher demands ahead, including heightened defence spending and diplomatic compromises with North Korea. All this adds to the formidable task awaiting Yoon’s successor.

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South Korea must now navigate this critical juncture — restoring public confidence, rebuilding unity, and repositioning itself in an increasingly volatile global environment.

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