SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Following months of deliberation, South Korea’s Constitutional Court will decide on Friday whether to remove impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol from office over his brief imposition of martial law in December, or reject the impeachment restore his presidential powers.
Friday’s decision follows weeks of massive rallies in Seoul, with protesters deeply divided between calling for his ouster or reinstatement, as the political turmoil caused by Yoon’s authoritarian push paralyzed state affairs, disrupted high-level diplomacy and rattled an already ailing economy.
Here is a timeline of events:
Dec. 3
In a surprise announcement at 10:29 p.m., he’s declaring martial law, saying the opposition-controlled ɫֱ Assembly has become a “den of criminals” paralyzing government affairs.
Yoon vows to “eradicate” his political rivals, describing them as North Korea-sympathizing, “anti-state forces” and the “main culprits of our nation’s downfall.” He doesn’t back his claims with direct evidence.
As lawmakers begin rushing to the ɫֱ Assembly, the military’s martial law command issues a proclamation declaring sweeping government powers, including the suspension of political parties’ activities and control over media and publications. It says anyone who violates the decree could be arrested without a warrant.
Hundreds of heavily armed troops encircle the Assembly, apparently to prevent lawmakers from gathering to vote on the martial law declaration.
Dec. 4
ɫֱ Assembly Speaker Woo Won Shik reaches the Assembly’s main chamber around 12:35 a.m. Some South Korean troops break windows to enter the Assembly but fail to reach the main chamber. Woo opens a meeting at 12:47 a.m. to hold a vote on whether to lift martial law.
Around 1 a.m., 190 lawmakers, including 18 from Yoon’s own conservative party, vote unanimously to lift martial law. Troops and police begin to retreat from the Assembly shortly later.
At 4:30 a.m., martial law is formally lifted following a Cabinet meeting.
Dec. 5
, a close associate believed to be the person who recommended the president declare martial law.
Dec. 7
Yoon survives that most ruling party lawmakers boycotted, denying the motion, which required a two-thirds majority.
Dec. 8
over his alleged role in planning and executing martial law.
Dec. 10
Kwak Jong-keun, commander of the Army Special Warfare Command whose troops were sent to parliament after Yoon declared martial law, tells lawmakers he received direct instructions from former Defense Minister Kim to obstruct them from entering the ɫֱ Assembly’s main chamber. He says Kim’s instructions were to prevent the 300-member Assembly from gathering the 150 votes necessary to overturn Yoon’s martial law order.
Kwak says Yoon later called him directly and asked for the troops to “quickly destroy the door and drag out the lawmakers who are inside.” Kwak says he did not carry out Yoon’s orders.
Dec. 11
over his alleged collusion with Yoon and others in imposing martial law. The Justice Ministry says Kim was stopped from attempting suicide hours before a Seoul court issued his arrest warrant.
South Korean police send officers to search Yoon’s office for evidence related to the martial law introduction but they are blocked by Yoon’s security team from entering the compound.
Dec. 12
Yoon defends his martial law decree as an act of governance and denies rebellion charges, vowing to “fight to the end” in the face of attempts to impeach him.
Dec. 14
The ɫֱ Assembly , passing the motion 204-85. His presidential powers and duties are subsequently suspended and Prime Minister , the country’s No. 2 official, takes over presidential powers.
Dec. 27
The ɫֱ Assembly votes to impeach the country’s acting leader, over his unwillingness to fill vacancies on the bench of the Constitutional Court.
Dec. 31
The Seoul Western District Court issues a warrant to detain Yoon for questioning.
Jan. 3
Scuffles occur outside Yoon’s compound as presidential security forces block from entering to detain the leader.
Jan. 14
The Constitutional Court holds its first formal hearing on Yoon's impeachment.
Jan. 15
Anti-corruption investigators and police raid the presidential compound and detain Yoon, more than six weeks after his ill-fated power grab.
Jan. 19
The Seoul Western District Court grants law enforcement’s request for a formal arrest warrant for Yoon, citing concerns he could destroy evidence. His arrest triggers a riot by his supporters, who break into the court, smashing windows and equipment. Dozens are arrested.
Jan. 26
The Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office indicts Yoon for masterminding an attempted rebellion, describing his power grab as an illegal bid to seize the legislature and election offices and arrest political opponents.
March 8
Yoon is released from prison a day after the Seoul Central District Court cancels his arrest, allowing him to stand trial while not being physically detained.
March 24
The Constitutional Court overturns the legislature’s impeachment of restoring his duties as the country’s acting leader amid Yoon’s impeachment.
April 1
The Constitutional Court says it will announce its decision on April 4 on whether to uphold Yoon’s impeachment and formally remove him from office or reinstate his powers.
