South Korea has endured months of political agitation since President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law in December, sending soldiers to Parliament in his attempt to subvert the civil government.
The Constitutional Court issued the long -awaited ruling, expelling Yoon, whose political trial had previously suspended. Development will potentially end the riots.
Here is a summary of the events:
December 3: Marcial Law
On December 3, after a budget fight with the opposition, Yoon leads to television to declare martial law in a flashback to the authoritarian past of South Korea.
He says he wants to protect the country against “threats raised by the communist forces of North Korea and eliminate the antistatal elements that loot the freedom and happiness of people.”
The armed troops are heading to Parliament, climbing fences, breaking windows and landing by helicopter in an apparent attempt to prevent legislators from reaslancing the decree.
As thousands of protesters meet outside, legislators vote 190-0 to cancel Yoon’s statement in the early hours of December 4.
The soldiers begin to retire and Yoon reappears on television and lifts martial law. The protesters celebrate. Yoon goes to the ground.
December 4: trial plan
The opposition immediately promises on December 4 to press for the accusation and present an official motion.
They have separated complaints of “insurrection” against Yoon, their defense and interior ministers, and “military and police figures involved, such as the commander of the Martial Law and the Chief of Police.”
Police announces that they are investigating Yoon and others for “insurrection.”
December 14: Yoon accused
Of the 300 legislators, 204 vote to accuse Yoon and 85 votes against the motion, their second attempt after a failed vote a week earlier.
Yoon is suspended from the position, while the Constitutional Court of South Korea has six months to deliberate in the vote.
The prime minister have Duck-Soo becomes the interim leader of the nation.
The vote is followed by jubilation scenes among tens of thousands of protesters in front of the Parliament building.
December 27: Second trial
On December 27, the legislators accused the interim president have so the opposition calls their refusal to sign special bills to investigate Yoon.
Finance Minister Choi Sang-Mok takes over.
Meanwhile, the Corruption Research Office sends a third citation to Yoon on December 26, after challenging the demands of the researchers twice in a week.
Yoon faces accusation and criminal insurrection charges, which could result in life imprisonment or even the death penalty.
December 30: Arrest order
The researchers request an arrest warrant for Yoon after he does not inform for interrogators.
It is the first attempt in the history of the country to forcefully stop a president before a political trial procedure is completed.
Hundreds of Yoon supporters join outside their complex to protest their accusation, such as Yoon promises a statement to fight with them “until the end to protect this nation.”
January 3: First arrest attempt
Researchers make their movement to arrest Yoon, but are blocked by their guards in a tense six -hour confrontation.
They are forced to retire, citing security concerns.
January 14: Political trial
The Constitutional Court opens Yoon’s trial trial.
A total of 11 hearings are held until February 25, some with Yoon himself attending and defending his decision.
January 15: Yoon detained
The researchers try to enter Yoon’s residence while their presidential guards, lawyers and supporters try to block the execution of an arrest warrant.
Officers use stairs to violate the complex and approach the residence.
After the negotiations, the researchers announce that the order has been delivered, and Yoon later appears in their offices. Yoon says he complied with “preventing blood spill.”
Yoon is shot in the cup and suffers a physical check while spending his first night in jail as a suspect criminal.
January 18: Yoon’s order extended
The Western District Court of Seoul issues a formal arrest warrant that extends Yoon’s arrest, citing concerns that it can destroy the evidence.
The decision enrages Yoon’s supporters, some of whom attack the court building, breaking windows and throwing glass bottles into the land.
March 8: Yoon released
The suspended president is released from detention after a court annuls his arrest for reasons of procedure the previous day.
Outside the detention center, Yoon leaves the car and greets its crying supporters and cheers.
The decision further feeds the tensions, with hundreds of thousands that join in favor and against Yoon every weekend, some camping and organizing protests throughout the night.
Verdict
The Constitutional Court announces on April 1 that will issue its long -awaited decision about Yoon’s accusation on Friday.
The South Korea Police promises to mobilize “all available resources” to avoid violence that day.
The main tourist sites and nearby schools say they will close the day of, since embassies warn their citizens to avoid areas close to the court for fear of violence.
