Overview

The April 4 ruling by South Korea’s Constitutional Court, which unanimously upheld the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol, marks a pivotal moment in the country’s democratic trajectory. Yoon’s removal—only the second presidential ouster in eight years—comes after his controversial declaration of martial law in December 2024. As mandated by the Constitution, South Korea is now set to hold a snap presidential election within 60 days, scheduled for June 3.¹

This issue of Data-Dive examines the dramatic events leading to Yoon’s impeachment and the broader implications for South Korea’s democratic standing. It highlights a troubling pattern of democratic backsliding: the erosion of civil liberties, weakening parliamentary effectiveness, and a decline in press freedom—all of which have been documented in recent international democracy indices.² Most notably, the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) downgraded South Korea’s status from a “full democracy” in 2024 following the political crisis, citing a fall below the key threshold score of 8.00.³

As South Korea prepares for a new presidential election amid political fragmentation and external economic pressures, this edition explores how one of Asia’s leading democracies is navigating a critical test of its institutions and democratic resilience.

Key Developments Leading to the Impeachment of Former President Yoon

On December 3, 2024, President Yoon Suk Yeol declared an emergency and imposed martial law, citing the need to safeguard South Korea against “anti-state forces” and purge “despicable pro-North Koreans.”⁴ This marked the 17th martial law declaration in South Korea’s history since independence. However, just six hours later, the National Assembly convened and passed a resolution with 190 votes to overturn martial law, exercising its authority under Article 77 of the Constitution.⁵

Notably, Martial law remains a highly sensitive issue in South Korea, shaped by its authoritarian history under military regimes in the 1960s to 1980s, when it was used to silence dissent and entrench power.⁶ While Yoon believed martial law was necessary to quell political unrest and opposition, it quickly became clear that South Korea had not forgotten its recent past—marked by mass pro-democracy movements and a deep public resistance to military involvement in civilian governance.⁷

Subsequently, on December 14, 2024, the Assembly successfully voted to remove President Yoon from office, securing 204 votes in favor. Of the 300-seat Assembly, President Yoon’s own People’s Power Party (PPP) holds 108 seats, while the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), the main opposition, controls 170 seats.⁸

The Republic of Korea: Democracy Indices

According to the International IDEA’s Democracy Index, the Republic of Korea, commonly known as South Korea, ranks highly in areas of Representation and Rights, while its performance in Rule of Law and Participation falls within the mid-range.⁹ It is among the top 25 percent globally across several indicators. However, over the past five years, it has experienced declines in Civil Liberties, Press Freedom, Parliamentary Effectiveness, and Access to Justice—though these areas still remain within the mid to high performance range.

Notably, according to the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU)’s 2024 Democracy Index, South Korea’s score fell below the 8.00 mark, losing its status as a “full democracy” after the political turmoil of late 2024.¹⁰ It now falls under the category of a “flawed democracy.”

What is a “Flawed Democracy”?

According to the EIU Democracy Index 2024, flawed democracies are countries that hold free and fair elections and respect basic civil liberties, even if issues like media freedom persist.¹¹ However, they suffer from significant weaknesses in other areas—such as governance problems, an underdeveloped political culture, and low levels of political participation.

What Lies Ahead for South Korea?

South Korea will hold a snap presidential election on June 3 to replace former President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was removed from office following his brief imposition of martial law. Acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo announced the date on April 8, stating that the decision was made to ensure smooth election logistics and provide adequate time for political parties to prepare.¹²

As the streets begin to clear of both supporters and protestors, interim authorities and security forces remain on high alert to ensure stability.¹³ The ruling People’s Power Party (PPP) is in turmoil, with many of Yoon’s supporters viewing him as a victim of injustice. Meanwhile, Lee Jae-myung of the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), who led his party to victory in last year’s parliamentary elections, is emerging as the leading candidate.¹⁴

Alongside domestic political uncertainty, South Korea also faces growing economic pressure, particularly with the U.S. imposing 25% “reciprocal tariffs.”¹⁵ The next president will inherit a complex landscape of political division and economic strain.

Conclusion

South Korea stands at a crossroads. The impeachment of President Yoon and the upcoming snap election underscore both the strength and vulnerability of its democratic institutions. While constitutional mechanisms have functioned effectively to address executive overreach, recent declines in democratic indicators highlight the need for renewed commitment to transparency, accountability, and civil liberties. 

The outcome of the June 3 election will be a crucial indicator of how South Korea chooses to move forward—either reinforcing its democratic foundations or continuing down a path of uncertainty.

As the country approaches this critical election, a renewed commitment to free, fair, and transparent electoral processes will be vital—not just for restoring public trust but also for reaffirming the country’s place among leading democracies.

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1 https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/4/8/south-korea-sets-june-3-as-date-of-election-to-replace-yoon
2 https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/southkorea/politics/20250228/koreas-democracy-rated-flawed-after-martial-law-report
3 https://www.eiu.com/n/democracy-index-2024/
4 https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/dec/03/south-korean-president-declares-emergency-martial-law
5 https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/what-is-the-current-political-situation-in-south-korea-explained/article69428413.ece
6 https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-global/south-korea-martial-law-history-korean-war-to-yoon-suk-yeol-9782060/
7 Id.
8 https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/what-is-the-current-political-situation-in-south-korea-explained/article69428413.ece
9 https://www.idea.int/democracytracker/country/republic-korea
10 https://www.eiu.com/n/democracy-index-2024/
11 Id.
12 https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/4/8/south-korea-sets-june-3-as-date-of-election-to-replace-yoon
13 https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/what-is-the-current-political-situation-in-south-korea-explained/article69428413.ece
14 Id.
15 Id.