South Korea’s Constitutional Court has ruled that President Yoon Suk Yeol abused his power by declaring martial law last December, resulting in his permanent removal from office. Yoon’s unexpected move, where he sought to seize control of the government, shocked both South Koreans and the international community. His decision was met with immediate public resistance and military opposition, forcing him to rescind the order after only six hours.

Yoon, who had a reputation as a principled prosecutor, was known for his obsession with winning and unyielding sense of justice. Throughout his career, Yoon’s hot-headed temperament and firm belief in right and wrong often led to conflicts, including with his friends and colleagues. His decision to run for president was shaped by his desire to enact his vision for South Korea, but his policies became increasingly right-wing and divisive. Despite initially appealing to the public, Yoon’s lack of political experience and refusal to compromise with opposition leaders led to significant alienation. His presidency faced criticism for authoritarian tendencies, culminating in his drastic martial law decision, which he believed was necessary to protect the country from what he saw as communist threats. His actions, however, ended in political disaster, undermining democracy in South Korea.