South Korea’s Constitutional Court Begins President Yoon Suk Yeol’s Impeachment Trial

South Korea’s Constitutional Court opened the impeachment trial of President Yoon Suk Yeol on Tuesday, following his failed attempt to impose martial law, but quickly adjourned after the suspended leader failed to appear for the hearing.
Yoon’s controversial power grab on December 3 plunged the nation into its worst political crisis in decades after he directed soldiers to storm parliament in a bid to prevent lawmakers from voting on his suspension of civilian rule. The president was swiftly impeached and suspended from duty but has since retreated to his residence, refusing multiple summonses for questioning on insurrection charges. His presidential security team has also resisted attempts to arrest him.
The first of five scheduled hearings began at 2:00 pm local time but lasted only a few minutes due to Yoon’s absence, which his legal team cited as a security risk. Despite his nonattendance, the court confirmed the hearings would continue, with the next session scheduled for Thursday, followed by additional hearings on January 21, January 23, and February 4.
The court’s eight-judge panel will primarily determine whether Yoon’s declaration of martial law was unconstitutional or illegal, either of which could justify upholding his impeachment. At least six judges must vote in favor for him to be permanently removed from office.
The National Assembly’s legal team argued that there were “overwhelming reasons for the immediate dismissal” of Yoon, emphasizing the severity of his actions. The court has up to 180 days from December 14, when the case was formally received, to deliver a verdict.
Yoon’s legal representatives have urged the court to utilize the full 180-day period, arguing that the circumstances leading to the martial law declaration require a thorough examination. His attempt to impose military rule marked South Korea’s first such instance in over four decades and lasted only six hours before being reversed.
Adding to the turmoil, lawmakers also impeached Yoon’s acting replacement last month, further deepening political instability. The current acting president has refrained from direct involvement, instead urging all parties to find a negotiated solution.
In a parallel criminal investigation, the Corruption Investigation Office (CIO) and police are preparing a renewed attempt to arrest Yoon on insurrection charges. An earlier effort failed after his presidential security team blocked investigators’ access, while rival protesters gathered outside his residence.
Authorities have reportedly mobilized 1,000 investigators for a fresh arrest attempt, with his security detail fortifying his Seoul compound with barbed wire and bus barricades. Despite the heightened tension, the defense ministry clarified that the military unit stationed outside the residence would focus solely on perimeter security and would not interfere with the warrant execution.
If successfully arrested, Yoon would be the first sitting South Korean president taken into custody. If convicted, he could face severe penalties, including life imprisonment or even the death penalty.
Political analysts warn that the credibility of the CIO could be at stake should the second arrest attempt fail, with Professor Lee Jae-mook of Hankuk University of Foreign Studies noting that the outcome could significantly impact the institution’s authority and public trust.