Former Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol was removed from office by South Korea’s highest court on April 4 in response to his declaration of martial law in December. This impeachment will take effect immediately, meaning Yoon must leave the presidential residence.

“I think that the impeachment was an expected result because I think there was a lot of controversy generated due to the event, even though Yoon revoked the martial law,” Minjoo Kim (9), MUN member, said. “Just the fact that he declared it in the first place without a clear motive was one of the biggest reasons why we expected him to be impeached.”

Over the past few months, the South Korean population has been divided over this impeachment. Large crowds took to the streets both for and against Yoon’s removal from office, leading to law enforcement officials ramping up the security in the capital with barriers and checkpoints.

While the majority of the country seemed to oppose the former president, celebrating outside the court once his impeachment had been declared, others were disappointed by his removal from office. To his supporters, Yoon stated that it was an honor to serve as a leader of the country and that he was “sorry for not being able to meet [their] expectations.”

After Yoon’s impeachment, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo assumed the top office as Acting President, vowing to ensure national security until the next election, which will take place no later than June 3.