Seoul, Dec 26
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's political future hangs in the balance as the Constitutional Court deliberates on his impeachment trial over his short-lived martial law declaration, raising concerns over a leadership vacuum amid economic and security challenges.
Yoon faces an uphill legal battle next year after being impeached and subjected to widening probes into his failed attempt to impose military rule on the nation's democracy on December 3. The impeached president has defended his imposition of martial law as an act of governance and denied insurrection charges, news agency reported.
The allegations include insurrection and abuse of power for deploying military forces to the National Assembly to block lawmakers from repealing the decree.
The final decision on his impeachment rests with the Constitutional Court, where at least six of nine justices must uphold the motion to remove him. The process could take up to 180 days.
If Yoon, who was elected in May 2022 to a single, five-year term, is removed from office, a snap election would be held within 60 days.