Sat Mar 15 12:56:13 UTC 2025: ## Divided Seoul Awaits Crucial Court Ruling on Ousted President Yoon’s Fate

**SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA** – Tens of thousands of South Koreans took to the streets of Seoul this weekend in massive, dueling protests ahead of a landmark Constitutional Court ruling on the fate of impeached President Yoon Suk-yeol. The court is set to decide whether Yoon’s controversial December 2024 declaration of martial law disqualifies him from office.

Anti-Yoon demonstrators packed a central Seoul square, demanding his immediate removal. Simultaneously, pro-Yoon supporters, waving South Korean and American flags, filled a nearby avenue, voicing their support for the former president. This stark division reflects the deep societal rift caused by Yoon’s actions, which triggered the country’s worst political crisis in recent history.

Yoon’s attempted imposition of martial law, which involved deploying hundreds of soldiers and police to the National Assembly, sparked outrage. While Yoon claims his intent was to maintain order, allegations persist that he aimed to obstruct a parliamentary vote and detain political rivals. This central question lies at the heart of the Constitutional Court’s deliberations.

A recent Gallup Korea poll revealed significant public division, with 58 percent favoring Yoon’s impeachment and 37 percent opposing it. The court’s decision, expected in the coming days, will determine whether Yoon is permanently removed from office, triggering a national election within two months. Adding to the complexity, Yoon also faces a separate criminal trial for insurrection, though he was recently released from pre-trial detention. The outcome will have profound consequences for South Korea’s political landscape.

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