South Korea’s constitutional court has begun impeachment proceedings against President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was ousted by declaring martial law and plunging his country into political chaos.
Members of Parliament voted to censure Yoon last Saturday, after his actions sparked protests calling for him to step down.
The court now has six months to decide whether to remove Yoon or reinstate him.
Yoon’s ruling People Power Party (PPP) has been in conflict ever since, with its leader announcing his resignation on Monday.
Although Yoon’s public trial hearing could last months, the court is under pressure to rule quickly and end political uncertainty. The protesters vowed to continue calling for Yoon’s removal from office during the trial.
In the two previous cases in which the South Korean president faced prosecution, the court overturned one decision and agreed with the other.
Observers say that what will make the trial of Yoon difficult is that the court has only six judges out of nine, as three have recently retired but have not been replaced.
If the court approves the indictment in Yoon’s case, the country must hold new presidential elections within 60 days. Currently, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo serves as acting president.
It is not clear whether Yoon will represent himself during the court proceedings.
He ignored a summons to meet with prosecutors in Seoul on Sunday, and will be ordered to be questioned again. If he fails to come forward this week, the police may move to arrest him.
Yoon defended his decision to impose martial law, and after his dismissal he reiterated that he would fight to the end.
Minutes after the constitutional court convened on Monday morning, PPP leader Han Dong-hoon announced his resignation.
Getty Images“I am very sorry to all the people who are dealing with this emergency,” said Han in a televised press conference.
Han has faced growing calls for his resignation, particularly from Yoon’s main faction, following the president’s impeachment.
Han first tried to make an orderly exit to Yoon. But after contemptuous speech with Yoon, Han made a mistake and called for him to be charged, saying it was the only way to stop him.
On Saturday, 12 PPP lawmakers voted for the hearing, making the motion a success. But most of the other PPP lawmakers voted for Yoon’s impeachment.
All five members of the PPP Supreme Council said after the vote they would resign – which would automatically dissolve the party leadership.
With the Supreme Council “destroyed”, Han, it was now “impossible” to perform his duties as the head of the party.
“Although it pains me to think of my sad fans, I have no regrets,” said Han, speaking of his decision to press charges against Yoon.
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