South Korea’s democracy tested as court prepares to rule on Yoon’s impeachment

Photo via Reuters

ANDREW CHO: As South Korea awaits the imminent ruling from the Constitutional Court on the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol, the nation is still grappling with the aftermath of his failed attempt to impose martial law in December 2024. 

On Dec. 3, 2024, President Yoon declared martial law, the first time a South Korean government took such a drastic step since it became a fully democratized state almost 40 years ago. He justified his decision by citing the need to combat a “den of criminals” and “anti-state forces” who seek to “overthrow our liberal democratic system.” Yet, the martial law was quickly and unanimously rejected by the National Assembly in just six hours.

The swift rejection was a testament to the resilience of South Korea’s democratic institutions. However, the aftermath has been marred by investigations into Yoon and his administration, with several officials facing charges. Yoon himself was arrested on Jan. 15, 2025, and later indicted for insurrection, marking a historic first for a sitting president in South Korea, though he was later released on March 8.

Beyond the political and legal crisis that followed Yoon’s failed attempt to impose martial law, the incident has exposed deep divisions between conservatives and liberals in the country. On Saturday, rival rallies filled the streets of downtown Seoul, with thousands of police officers deployed to maintain safety. Anti-Yoon protesters demanded his immediate removal, chanting slogans and waving banners near the Constitutional Court. As one protest leader said, "We cannot wait even a single day," urging the court to expedite its decision. Meanwhile, Yoon's supporters rallied nearby, waving South Korean and U.S. flags and calling for his reinstatement.

This deep political division has also been exacerbated by misinformation and violent incidents. Yoon's supporters have been accused of spreading unsubstantiated claims of election fraud, calling the opposing Democratic Party (DP) a “leftist, North Korea-sympathizing opposition.” This rhetoric has fueled tensions, culminating in violent protests when Yoon's detention was extended. 

In January, his supporters stormed a Seoul court, smashing windows and doors, in an unprecedented display of violence against judicial institutions. As Yoo Jung-hoon, a lawyer and political commentator, noted, such actions are "unprecedented" in South Korea and may lead to severe legal consequences. This escalation portrays the growing polarization and the challenges of maintaining order in the face of intense political divisions.

The escalating tensions and violent incidents underscore the fragility of South Korea's democracy and reveal an intensely polarized political culture. Sun Ryung-park and Yves Tiberghien of the University of British Columbia highlight the deeply rooted flaws of the South Korean political system. “In recent political cycles, revenge against opponents has become a major feature of South Korean politics, ” they said. “Each side is locked in a bubble on social media and sees the other as an existential threat.”

Josephina Lee, a Research Assistant at the Institute of International and Comparative Public Law, also notes that the failed attempt to implement martial law has further accelerated polarization and mutual exclusion in political discourse, posing a serious threat to democratic institutions. She emphasizes that this polarization is exacerbated by the perception that political opponents are not just adversaries but "anti-state forces," which undermines constructive dialogue and reinforces divisions.

With the Constitutional Court's decision looming, South Korea stands at a crossroads. The ruling will not only determine President Yoon's fate but also shape the trajectory of the country's democratic future. As the world watches, South Koreans are bracing for a resolution that could either heal the nation's deep divisions or exacerbate them further. The path forward will require a concerted effort to rebuild trust in democratic institutions and foster a more inclusive political dialogue.

Andrew Cho is a staff writer for On the Record. He was born in Chicago, Illinois and grew up in Seoul, South Korea. He is a sophomore in the School of Foreign Service, majoring in International Politics.