From martial law to impeachment

From martial law to impeachment:

South Korea's 4-month political crisis

Troops who blockaded the National Assembly following former President Yoon Suk Yeol's declaration of martial law are surrounded by citizens after the Assembly's passage of the resolution to lift the declaration, in Yeouido, Seoul, in the early hours of Dec. 4, 2024. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

Timeline: From martial law to presidential impeachment

Dec. 3, 2024
10:27 p.m.

President Yoon Suk Yeol declares martial law

President Yoon declared martial law in a late-night emergency press briefing, claiming the urgent need to eradicate "anti-state forces."

See article

Dec. 4, 2024
00:27 a.m.

Troops land on National Assembly

Physical clashes erupted as troops were dispatched to the National Assembly in helicopters to block lawmakers from entering the building as they were set to convene to vote to lift martial law.

See article

Dec. 4, 2024
01:00 a.m.

National Assembly passes motion to end martial law

The legislative body passed the resolution at around 1 a.m., with 190 lawmakers attending, approximately two and a half hours after the president's declaration.

Yoon lifted the order hours later, about six hours after his declaration the previous day.

See article

Dec. 7, 2024 -

Rallies demand removal of Yoon

Protests demanding the impeachment of the president intensified across the country as a result of the declaration of martial law.

See article

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Protesters demand President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment at a rally held near the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, Dec. 7, 2024. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

Dec. 14, 2024

National Assembly passes motion to impeach President Yoon

After an initial failed attempt on Dec. 7, when the ruling People Power Party (PPP) boycotted the vote to impeach the president, the Assembly passed the motion with some PPP lawmakers crossing party lines to vote in support of impeachment on Dec. 14.

This made Yoon the third South Korean president impeached by the National Assembly, following the late President Roh Moo-hyun and former President Park Geun-hye.

See article

December
2024

Yoon refuses to attend questioning

The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking officials (CIO) summoned Yoon for questioning three times, on Dec. 18, 25 and 29. However, he did not comply with any of the summons.

See article

Jan. 3, 2025

Authorities secure detention warrant for Yoon, but fail in execution

After Yoon repeatedly refused to comply, the CIO filed for a detention warrant on Dec. 30, which was granted by the Seoul Western District Court the following day.

The CIO and the police attempted to execute the warrant on Jan. 3, but failed after a five-hour standoff with the Presidential Security Service (PSS).

See article

Jan. 11, 2025
-

Yoon's supporters consolidate

Yoon's supporters kick off a series of "Save Korea" protests across the country, from Yeouido, Seoul, to the southeastern city of Busan.

See article

Jan. 14, 2025
-

Constitutional Court begins Yoon's impeachment trial

The Constitutional Court held its first formal hearing but it ended after just four minutes as the president did not attend.

Yoon began attending court from the third hearing on Jan. 21. The trial wrapped up on Feb. 25.

See article

Police attempt to enter the presidential residence in Hannam-dong, central Seoul, amid the CIO and police's move to execute a second arrest warrant for Yoon on Jan. 3, 2025. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

Jan. 15, 2025

Yoon is arrested

Yoon became South Korea's first sitting president to be arrested amid an investigation on charges of insurrection for his failed martial law order.

Following a standoff with PSS personnel that lasted about two and a half hours, investigators managed to move forward by passing through three layers of makeshift barricades consisting of rows of guards and buses.

See article

Jan. 19, 2025

Young conservatives attack Seoul court

The issuance of President Yoon's arrest warrant by the Seoul Western District Court triggered young supporters in their 20s and 30s to storm the building.

They physically overpowered officers, stole riot shields, and used fire extinguishers to smash windows and doors, clearing the way for others to enter the court building.

The intruders searched the building floor by floor, damaging property before police apprehended them.

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The damaged exterior of the Seoul Western District Court is seen on Jan. 20, a day after young supporters of Yoon stormed the court in response to the issuance of his arrest warrant. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

A far-right YouTuber, Song, 32, who runs a conservative channel (www.youtube.com/@RedOUTT) with 820,000 subscribers, was taken into custody while broadcasting outside the court.

“If any 20 to 30-year-olds arrested need legal fees, I’ll help. The judge issuing the warrant is the one breaking the law,” Song said on his livestream before he was arrested.

Yoon's supporters take part in a rally against his impeachment in front of the presidential residence in Hannam-dong, central Seoul, Jan. 13. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

“STOP THE STEAL”

'STOP THE STEAL' signs are spotted at rallies held by Yoon supporters. They adopted the term popularized by U.S. President Donald Trump's supporters, who claimed that the results of the 2020 U.S. presidential election were rigged.

Jan. 26, 2025

President indicted on insurrection charges

Yoon became the first sitting president to be indicted with detention.

See article

In the meantime, the Constitutional Court's hearings on impeachment stretched on.

Acting Constitutional Court Chief Justice Moon Hyung-bae and the justices preside over the 10th hearing of Yoon's impeachment trial, held at the court in central Seoul, Feb. 20. Yoon is seen, fourth from top right below the bench. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

At the hearing, the then-impeached Prime Minister Han Duck-soo said there were

"substantial and procedural problems"

in the Cabinet meeting held prior to the martial law declaration.

March 7,
2025

Court revokes Yoon's arrest warrant

The Seoul Central District Court ruled in favor of Yoon's request to have his arrest warrant revoked, which was filed in February.

See article

March 8,
2025

President released from detention

Yoon Suk Yeol was released from jail a day after the Seoul Central District Court's ruling allowed him to stand trial without physical detention.

See article

March 24,
2025

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo reinstated

The Constitutional Court rejected the National Assembly's impeachment motion against Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, reinstating him to his position as prime minister as well as acting president. The Assembly had passed an impeachment motion on Dec. 27, stating Han was involved in President Yoon's martial law declaration.

See article

April 4, 2025
11:22 a.m.

President Yoon Suk Yeol impeached

The Constitutional Court upheld the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol, resulting in his immediate removal from office.

See article

“The respondent, President Yoon Suk Yeol, is hereby removed from office.”

Acting Chief Justice Moon Hyung-bae reads out the decision to uphold Yoon's impeachment at the Constitutional Court in central Seoul, April 4. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

The court rejected Yoon’s claims that the imposition of martial law
was merely a warning to his political opponents,
that it was within his presidential authority
and that it followed a legitimate Cabinet process.

The Constitutional Court's ruling triggered contrasting responses from the public.
Pro-impeachment protesters celebrated in front of the court.

Participants shout in joy at a rally near the Constitutional Court as President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment is announced in Seoul, Friday. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk

“It took so long and I kept wondering, ‘Why should this take so long?’”
Seoul-based office worker Jeong Hee-seong, 32, said.

“We are all here, like-minded and united for the ouster of Yoon, but from all walks of life … I hope Korean society grows more open and receptive to diverse opinions.”

The atmosphere was different in Hannam-dong, where Yoon's supporters were gathered.

“This is so unfortunate. I feel like my country has collapsed,"
said Ahn Chang-hoon, 65, on the verge of tears.

“This is not a fair ruling. This is so wrong,” he said,
promising to attend future rallies “until my last days.”

The decision to remove the president from office was unanimous,
with all eight Constitutional Court justices voting in favor.
The ruling came 111 days after the National Assembly passed the impeachment motion against Yoon, accusing him of insurrection for declaring martial law on Dec. 3.

“Ultimately, the respondent's actions
constitute a serious violation of the law that betrays
the trust of the people.”

Acting Chief Justice Moon Hyung-bae, left, leaves the courtroom with Justice Kim Hyung-doo, following the ruling on Yoon's impeachment at the Constitutional Court in central Seoul, April 4. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

With the snap presidential election to be held on June 3,
South Koreans are hoping for a swift normalization of state affairs.

Published: April 29, 2025
Created: Shim Hyun-chul, Kim Bo-eun, Lee Jong-eun, Park Ji-won
Photos: Shim Hyun-chul, Choi Won-suk, Wang Tae-seok, Yonhap