On April 4, near the presidential office in Yongsan, Seoul, supporters of former President Yoon Suk Yeol appeared dejected after hearing the Constitutional Court’s decision to uphold his impeachment. (Yonhap)
SEOUL, April 5 (Korea Bizwire) — The ousting of President Yoon Suk Yeol by South Korea’s Constitutional Court on April 4 has intensified political and societal divisions across the nation. The unanimous decision upheld Yoon’s impeachment over his December 2024 declaration of martial law, citing severe constitutional violations.
Yoon’s attempt to deploy military forces to suppress the opposition-controlled National Assembly and halt legislative processes led to his swift impeachment by lawmakers. The court’s ruling has elicited mixed reactions: anti-Yoon demonstrators celebrated the decision, while his supporters expressed anguish and disbelief.
The political schism has permeated various facets of society, exacerbating generational, gender, and regional divides. Younger and middle-aged voters largely supported Yoon’s removal, whereas older demographics showed significant opposition.
This generational rift has manifested in familial tensions, with political debates often leading to heated arguments. The rise of politically charged content on platforms like YouTube has further fueled confirmation biases, contributing to the polarization.
On April 4, in the Anguk-dong area of Jongno-gu, Seoul, citizens who supported the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol cheered as the Constitutional Court delivered its ruling in favor of his removal from office.
Public confidence in democratic institutions has also suffered. The judiciary, in particular, has faced criticism and threats, underscoring the volatile political climate. With a snap presidential election mandated within 60 days, concerns are mounting that the campaign period may mirror the turbulence of the impeachment saga.
Calls for national reconciliation are growing. Lee Seok-yeon, former head of the Ministry of Government Legislation, emphasized the need for political leaders to eschew divisive tactics and focus on uniting the populace. “Political leaders must stop exploiting the people’s divisions for short-term gain. They should commit to constitutional values and reject the politics of vengeance,” Lee stated.
As South Korea approaches the impending election, the nation stands at a crossroads: continue along a path of deepening division or undertake the challenging work of rebuilding trust and unity.
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
