00:00South Korean President Yoon Suk-yol was ousted on Friday after the Constitutional Court upheld
00:07his impeachment over last year's brief imposition of martial law, which triggered the country's
00:12worst political crisis in decades.
00:15With Yoon's ouster, South Korea must hold a presidential election within 60 days, as
00:20mandated by the Constitution.
00:23Until then, Prime Minister Han Deok-su will serve as acting president.
00:28Opposing Chief Justice Moon Hyeong-bae stated that Yoon had violated his constitutional
00:32duties by exceeding his presidential powers, posing a serious threat to democracy.
00:39He violated the rights of the constitutional institutions, such as the National Assembly,
00:44and violated the basic human rights of the people, so he abandoned his post in the Constitutional
00:49Court and greatly betrayed the people's trust in the Democratic People's Republic.
00:56Moon further noted that Yoon's declaration of martial law created turmoil across society,
01:02the economy, and foreign policy.
01:04The court's ruling was unanimous among all eight justices.
01:08As news of the decision broke, thousands at a rally demanding Yoon's removal erupted in
01:13celebration, chanting, we won.
01:17Many had camped out overnight in anticipation of the verdict.
01:26Following the ruling, Yoon issued a written apology, saying he had failed to meet the
01:31expectations of the beloved citizens.
01:34The 64-year-old also faces a criminal trial for insurrection.
01:38He became the first sitting South Korean president to be arrested on January 15, but was released
01:44in March after a court revoked his arrest warrant.
01:48The crisis began on December 3, when Yoon declared martial law, claiming it was necessary
01:53to root out anti-state elements and counter the opposition Democratic Party's alleged
01:59abuse of its parliamentary majority.
02:01However, lawmakers defied security forces' attempts to block Parliament and swiftly voted
02:07to overturn the decree just six hours later.
02:10Yoon has since insisted he never intended to fully enforce emergency military rule,
02:15downplaying the incident by emphasizing that no one was harmed.
02:22Despite months of protests, it remains unclear whether the court's decision will ease the
02:27political turmoil sparked by his actions.
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