Following Yoon's removal, South Korea must hold an election within 60 days, with opposition leader Lee Jae-myung of the left-leaning Democratic Party emerging as the front-runner. The ruling conservatives remain divided over Yoon's actions and have yet to agree on a candidate. The leadership vacuum has created challenges in addressing relations with the United States, as President Trump has criticized South Korea's trade surplus and accused Seoul of not paying enough to host American troops.
The next South Korean president will face significant challenges, including improving relations with the Trump administration, responding to China's economic overtures, and healing domestic divisions created by the martial law declaration. The martial law order was particularly controversial given South Korea's history of military rule until the 1980s, when mass protests led to the country's transition to democracy.
Yoon is the second South Korean president to be removed from office since the country's democratic transition in 1987, following Park Geun-hye's impeachment in 2017 over an influence-peddling scandal. Public reaction to the verdict was divided, with about three-fifths of South Koreans supporting Yoon's ouster according to recent polling. While pro-impeachment protesters celebrated near the Constitutional Court, Yoon's supporters expressed disappointment, and his lawyer called the verdict a "regrettable political decision."
However, protesters in favor of Yoon's removal from office can be heard celebrating with songs such as "Time of our Life" by DAY6 and "Into the New World" by. Girl's Generation.