South Korea must pick its next president wisely

Over 100 days since his impeachment trial commenced, South Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol was unanimously voted out by the country’s constitutional court earlier today. This is the man whose presidency will be remembered for his infamous declaration of martial law on 3 December last year.

For his detractors, today is a jubilant occasion and a day of celebration. For Yoon’s supporters, however, the court’s verdict predictably was a moment of melancholy. The clock is now ticking, as the country has 60 days to call a general election. Not only is South Korea’s political polarisation anything but ebbing, but voters must carefully consider just how beneficial a pivot in political direction will be at a time of global geopolitical change.

As pro- and anti-Yoon protesters gathered in the vicinity of South Korea’s constitutional court, both sides were understandably frustrated at the length of time taken by the court’s eight judges to deliberate the decision.