What's happened
South Korea's Constitutional Court has impeached and removed Cho Ji-ho, the police chief, for supporting Yoon's unconstitutional martial law during a political crisis. The court cited his active disruption of legislative activities and infringement on electoral independence amid Yoon's failed power grab and subsequent legal proceedings. The ruling marks a significant judicial rebuke of Yoon's actions.
What's behind the headline?
The court's decision underscores the judiciary's role in checking executive overreach, especially in a politically volatile environment. Cho Ji-ho's removal signals a firm stance against supporting unconstitutional orders, reinforcing the rule of law. The case reveals how Yoon's attempt to impose martial law was met with institutional resistance, highlighting the importance of judicial independence. This ruling will likely deter future officials from supporting illegal actions under political pressure. The broader impact suggests South Korea is reaffirming its commitment to constitutional governance, but the ongoing criminal trials and political fallout indicate a fragile stability that could influence future civil-military relations. The case also exposes the risks of executive overreach in democracies, emphasizing the need for strong judicial oversight to prevent similar crises.
What the papers say
The Independent reports that Cho Ji-ho actively disrupted legislative activities by deploying police to block lawmakers from voting on Yoon's decree, and infringed on the independence of the National Election Commission. AP News echoes this, noting Cho's support for Yoon's unconstitutional actions despite his claims of maintaining order. Both sources highlight the court's view that Cho's actions were unlawful and politically motivated. The Independent emphasizes the court's specific mention of Cho's involvement in the military and police blockade, while AP News focuses on the broader political context, including Yoon's impeachment and criminal charges. The contrasting perspectives illustrate the judiciary's decisive stance against officials supporting illegal orders, with The Independent providing detailed procedural insights and AP News framing the events within the political crisis.
How we got here
Yoon's administration declared martial law in December 2024 to suppress opposition protests, leading to a political crisis. Lawmakers managed to revoke the order, but Yoon was impeached and removed from office in April 2025. Cho Ji-ho, the police chief, supported Yoon's actions despite their unconstitutionality, leading to his impeachment. The crisis involved military and police blockades, legislative disruptions, and Yoon's arrest on rebellion charges. The court's decision reflects ongoing efforts to hold officials accountable for the unconstitutional power grab.
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Yoon Seok-youl is a South Korean lawyer and a former Prosecutor General of South Korea. He is a candidate in the 2022 South Korean presidential election and considered an electoral favorite amongst the candidates from the conservative People Power Party,
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South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea, is a country in East Asia, constituting the southern part of the Korean Peninsula and sharing a land border with North Korea.