Thousands of South Koreans have stormed the streets to protest against the removal of former president Yoon Suk-yeol over his failed martial law declaration.
The nation’s Constitutional Court on Friday unanimously ruled to remove Yoon over the December 3 attempt to subvert civilian rule, triggering elections to be held by June after months of political turmoil.
A new presidential election must be held within 60 days, according to the constitution. Until then, acting president Han Duck-soo will remain in Yoon’s position.
Yoon had defended his martial law attempt as necessary to root out “anti-state forces” and what he claimed were threats from North Korea.
He had found backing from extreme religious figures and right-wing YouTubers who experts say used misinformation to court support for the former star prosecutor.
Analysts says Yoon’s presidency has revealed the societal cracks based on political polarization and misinformation.
The court ruled that Yoon’s actions in December had posed a “grave threat” to the country’s stability.
Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung is seen as the frontrunner in the next election, experts say, and his party has taken a more conciliatory approach toward North Korea.
Some Yoon supporters were worried about the prospect of a Lee presidency.
