Yoon Suk Yeol removed as South Korea's president over short-lived martial law

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea’s Constitutional Court unanimously removed Yoon Suk Yeol from office Friday, ending his tumultuous presidency and setting up a new election, four months after he threw the nation into turmoil with an ill-fated declaration of martial law.

The verdict capped a dramatic fall for Yoon, a former star prosecutor who became president in 2022, just a year after he entered politics.

In a nationally televised hearing, the court’s acting chief Moon Hyung-bae said the eight-member bench found Yoon’s actions were unconstitutional and had a grave impact.

“By declaring martial law in breach of the constitution and other laws, the defendant brought back the history of abusing state emergency decrees, shocked the people and caused confusion in the society, economy, politics, diplomacy and all other areas,” Moon said.

“Given the negative impact on constitutional order caused by the defendant’s violation of laws and its ripple effects are grave, we find that the benefits of upholding the constitution by dismissing the defendant far outweigh the national losses from the dismissal of the president,” the justice concluded.

Anti-Yoon protesters near the court erupted into tears and danced when the verdict was announced in the late morning. Two women wept as they hugged and an old man near them leapt to his feet and screamed with joy. The crowd later marched through Seoul streets.

Outside Yoon's official residence, many supporters cried, screamed and yelled at journalists when they saw the news of the verdict on a giant TV screen. But they quickly cooled down after their organizer pleaded for calm.

“We will absolutely not be shaken!” a protest leader shouted on stage. “Anyone who accepts this ruling and prepares for an early presidential election is our enemy.”

No major violence has been reported by late afternoon.

“Political risks related to domestic polarization and policy instability remain,” Leif-Eric Easley, a professor at Ewha University in Seoul, said. “But the Constitutional Court’s unanimous ruling has removed a major source of uncertainty. Korean government institutions have withstood a volatile mix of legislative obstruction and executive overreach that posed the greatest challenge to democracy in a generation.”

An election will be held within two months for a new president. But a festering divide over Yoon’s impeachment could complicate South Korea’s efforts to deal with crucial issues like President Donald Trump’s tariffs and other “America First” policies, observers say.

Yoon said in a statement issued via his defense team that he deeply regrets failing to live up to the public's expectations, but stopped short of explicitly accepting the verdict. There have been fears he would incite efforts to resist his removal, as he earlier vowed to fight to the end.

He added that he will pray for the country and its people. “It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve our nation,” Yoon said.

Yoon’s ruling People Power Party said it would accept the decision, but one of Yoon’s lawyers, Yoon Kap-keun, called the ruling “completely incomprehensible” and a “pure political decision."

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, the country’s acting leader, vowed to maintain public safety and order and ensure a smooth transition to the next administration.

Surveys show Lee Jae-myung, leader of the main liberal opposition Democratic Party, is the early favorite to win the upcoming presidential by-election, though he faces several trials for corruption and other charges.

“It will be an uphill battle for the conservative party to win a snap presidential election,” said Duyeon Kim, a senior analyst at the Center for a New American Security in Washington. “If Lee wins, South Korea’s foreign policy will likely look very different from what the U.S. and like-minded countries have enjoyed during Yoon’s presidency because of the demands of the progressive base.”

Lee welcomed the ruling and credited the South Korean people for “protecting our democratic republic.”

Martial law lasted only six hours, but left behind a political crisis, rattling financial markets and unsettling the country’s diplomatic partners.

After announcing martial law late at night on Dec. 3, Yoon, a conservative, sent hundreds of soldiers to the liberal opposition-controlled National Assembly, election offices and other sites. Special operations soldiers smashed windows at the assembly and scuffled with protesters, evoking traumatic memories of the country's past military rules among many South Koreans.

Enough lawmakers, including some from the ruling party, managed to enter the assembly to vote down Yoon's decree unanimously.

Some senior military and police officers sent to the assembly testified Yoon ordered them to drag out lawmakers to block the vote on his decree or to detain his political rivals. Yoon says the troops were deployed to the assembly simply to maintain order.

Yoon was impeached by the National Assembly on Dec. 14. The assembly accused him of violating the constitution and other laws by suppressing assembly activities, attempting to detain politicians, and undermining peace across the country.

In his final testimony at the Constitutional Court hearing, Yoon said his decree was a desperate attempt to draw public support of his fight against the “wickedness” of the Democratic Party, which had obstructed his agenda, impeached top officials and slashed the government’s budget bill. He earlier called the National Assembly “a den of criminals” and “anti-state forces.”

The Constitutional Court ruled Yoon infringed upon the assembly's right to demand martial law be lifted, the freedom of political party activities and the neutrality of the military. It also said Yoon’s political impasse with the opposition wasn’t the type of emergency situation that required martial law and that Yoon’s decree lacked required legal procedures such as deliberation by a formal Cabinet meeting.

Yoon has been indicted on charges of rebellion in connection with his decree, a charge that carries the death penalty or a life sentence if convicted. He became the first South Korean president to be arrested or indicted while in office.

Yoon was released from jail in March after a Seoul district court cancelled his arrest. That allows him to stand trial without detention.

His removal from office also costs Yoon the presidential immunity that protected him from most criminal prosecutions. This means he could face other criminal charges, such as abuse of power, in connection with his martial law decree, some observers say.

Associated Press writer Foster Klug contributed to this report.

Supporters of impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol stage a rally to oppose his impeachment near the presidential residence in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, April 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

Jo Eun-jin, who stayed overnight on the street, waits for the start of a rally calling for impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol to step down, near the Constitutional Court in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, April 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

Moon Hyung-bae, center, acting chief justice of South Korea's Constitutional Court, speaks during the final ruling of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment at the Constitutional Court on Friday, April 4, 2025 in Seoul, South Korea. (Kim Min-Hee, Japan Pool/Kyodo News via AP)

Moon Hyung-bae, center, acting chief justice of South Korea's Constitutional Court, speaks during the final ruling of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment at the Constitutional Court on Friday, April 4, 2025 in Seoul, South Korea. (Kim Min-Hee, Japan Pool/Kyodo News via AP)

People react after hearing the news that President Yoon Suk Yeol was removed from office, in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, April 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

People shout slogans during a rally calling for impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol to step down near the Constitutional Court in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, April 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

Supporters of impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol react after hearing the Constitutional Court's verdict removing him from office during a rally in his support near the presidential residence in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, April 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

Supporters of impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol stage a rally to oppose his impeachment near the presidential residence in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, April 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

Supporters of impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol react after hearing the Constitutional Court's verdict removing him from office during a rally in his support near the presidential residence in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, April 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

A man wearing a mask of President Yoon Suk Yeol celebrates along with others after Yoon was removed from office, near royal palace in downtown Seoul, South Korea, Friday, April 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Foster Klug)

People celebrate the news of President Yoon Suk Yeol's removal from office, near royal palace in downtown Seoul, South Korea, Friday, April 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Foster Klug)

People react after hearing the news that President Yoon Suk Yeol was removed from office, in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, April 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

People celebrate the news of President Yoon Suk Yeol'S removal from office, near royal palace in downtown Seoul, South Korea, Friday, April 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Foster Klug)

People celebrate the news of President Yoon Suk Yeol being removed from office, near royal palace in downtown Seoul, South Korea, Friday, April 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Foster Klug)

People react after hearing the news that President Yoon Suk Yeol was removed from office, in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, April 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

People react after hearing the news that President Yoon Suk Yeol was removed from office, in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, April 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

People react after hearing the news that President Yoon Suk Yeol was removed from office, in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, April 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

People react after hearing the news that President Yoon Suk Yeol was removed from office, in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, April 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

People shout slogans during a rally calling for impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol to step down near the Constitutional Court in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, April 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

People hold up signs during a rally calling for impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol to step down near the Constitutional Court in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, April 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

People shout slogans during a rally calling for impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol to step down near the Constitutional Court in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, April 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

People shout slogans during a rally calling for impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol to step down near the Constitutional Court in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, April 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

Protesters shout slogans during a rally calling for impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol to step down, near the Constitutional Court in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, April 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

Protesters shout slogans during a rally calling for impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol to step down, near the Constitutional Court in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, April 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

Supporters of impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol attend a rally to oppose his impeachment in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, April 3, 2025. The letters read "Dismiss impeachment." (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

Demonstrators who stayed overnight near the Constitutional Court, wait for the start of a rally calling for impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol to step down, in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, April 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

Jo Eun-jin, who stayed overnight on the street, waits for the start of a rally calling for impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol to step down, near the Constitutional Court in Seoul, South Korea, Friday, April 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Lee Jin-man)

Police officers move as protesters prepare to march toward the Constitutional Court during a rally calling for impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol to step down near the Gwanghwamun, the main gate of the 14th-century Gyeongbok Palace, in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, April 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

Police officers stand guard as protesters prepare to march toward the Constitutional Court during a rally calling for impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol to step down near the Gwanghwamun, the main gate of the 14th-century Gyeongbok Palace, in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, April 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

Police officers pass by the main gate of the Constitutional Court which is blocked by police fences and buses as part of precaution for an eventuality in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, April 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

Police officers stand guard near the Constitutional Court in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, April 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

Supporters of impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol stage a rally to oppose his impeachment near the Constitutional Court in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, April 3, 2025. The letters read "Yoon Suk Yeol's immediate return." (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

Supporters of impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol stage a rally to oppose his impeachment near the Constitutional Court in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, April 3, 2025. The letters read "Yoon Suk Yeol's immediate return." (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

Protesters march toward the Constitutional Court during a rally calling for impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol to step down in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, April 3, 2025. The letters read "Yoon Suk Yeol's immediate dismissal." (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

Supporters of impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol attend a rally to oppose his impeachment near the Constitutional Court in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, April 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

Protesters stage a rally calling for impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol to step down near the Constitutional Court in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, April 3, 2025. The letters read "Yoon Suk Yeol's immediate dismissal." (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

Members of the Federation of Korean Trade Unions hold up cards during a rally calling for impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol to step down in Seoul, South Korea, Thursday, April 3, 2025. The letters read "Step down." (AP Photo/Ahn Young-joon)

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) — Israel struck tents outside two major hospitals in the Gaza Strip overnight, killing at least two people, including a local reporter, and wounding another nine, including six reporters, medics said Monday.

Twenty-three other people were killed in separate strikes across the territory, according to hospitals.

Israel has carried out waves of strikes across Gaza and ground forces have carved out new military zones since it ended its ceasefire with Hamas last month. Israel has barred the import of food, fuel, medicine and humanitarian aid for well over a month as it seeks to pressure Hamas to accept changes to the truce agreement they reached in January.

A strike on a media tent outside Nasser Hospital in Khan Younis at around 2 a.m. set the tent ablaze, killing Yousef al-Faqawi, a reporter for the Palestine Today news website, and another man, according to the hospital. Six other reporters were also wounded in the strike.

The Israeli military said it hit a Hamas militant, without providing further information. The military says it tries to avoid harming civilians and blames Hamas for their deaths because it is deeply embedded in residential areas.

Israel also struck tents on the edge of Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital in the central city of Deir al-Balah, wounding three people, according to the hospital.

Nasser Hospital said it received another 15 bodies, including six women and four children, from separate strikes overnight and into Monday. Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital said two additional strikes on homes in Deir al-Balah killed eight people, including three women and three children.

Thousands of people have sheltered in tents set up inside hospital compounds throughout the 18-month war, assuming Israel would be less likely to target them. Israel has raided hospitals on several occasions, accusing Hamas of using them for military purposes, allegations denied by hospital staff.

The war began when Hamas-led militants stormed into Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, rampaging through army bases and farming communities and killing some 1,200 people, mostly civilians. They abducted 251 people, and are still holding 59 captives — 24 of whom are believed to be alive — after most of the rest were released in ceasefires or other deals.

Israel has vowed to keep escalating military pressure until Hamas releases the remaining hostages, lays down its arms and leaves the territory. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he will then implement U.S. President Donald Trump's proposal to resettle much of Gaza's population to other countries through what the Israeli leader refers to as “voluntary emigration.”

Palestinians say they do not want to leave their homeland, and human rights experts have warned that implementing the Trump proposal would likely amount to mass expulsion in violation of international law.

Netanyahu will meet with Trump in Washington on Monday to discuss Gaza and other issues.

Dozens of protesters gathered outside Netanyahu's official residence in Jerusalem to call for an agreement to release the captives. Many fear that Netanyahu's decision to resume the fighting has put the remaining hostages in grave danger and hope Trump can help broker another deal.

“Now the moment of truth has come," said Varda Ben Baruch, grandmother of Israeli-American hostage Edan Alexander, addressing Netanyahu. “You are in the United States and you have to sit there with President Trump and close a deal so that everyone will be released home.”

Israel's military offensive has killed over 50,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which does not say how many of the dead were militants or civilians. Israel says it has killed around 20,000 militants, without providing evidence.

The offensive has destroyed vast areas of Gaza and at its height displaced around 90% of its population.

This story has been corrected to show that Palestine Today is a news website, not a TV station.

Magdy reported from Cairo.

Follow AP’s war coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war

Palestinians inspect the site hit by an Israeli strike in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip on Monday, April 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)

Palestinians search for survivors amid the debris of a building destroyed by an Israeli airstrike in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, on Monday, April 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)

Palestinians search for survivors amid the debris of a building destroyed by an Israeli airstrike in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, on Monday, April 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)

Palestinians search for survivors amid the debris of a building destroyed by an Israeli airstrike in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, on Monday, April 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)

Palestinians inspect the site hit by an Israeli strike in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip on Monday, April 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)

Palestinians search for survivors amid the debris of a building destroyed by an Israeli airstrike in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, on Monday, April 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)

Palestinians search for survivors amid the debris of a building destroyed by an Israeli airstrike in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, on Monday, April 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)

Palestinians retrieve a body from the rubble of a building destroyed by an Israeli airstrike in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, on Monday, April 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)

Palestinians inspect the site hit by an Israeli strike in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip on Monday, April 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)

Palestinians mourn their relatives who were killed by an Israeli airstrike, at the hospital morgue in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, on Monday, April 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)

Palestinians inspect the site hit by an Israeli strike in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip on Monday, April 7, 2025. (AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana)

FILE - Israeli tanks maneuver along the border with north of the Gaza Strip, as seen from southern Israel, March 18, 2025. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg, File)