What happens if the South Korean president is impeached?
South Korea has impeached two presidents — Roh Moo-hyun (2004, later reinstated) and Park Geun-hye (2016, removed) — establishing a clear institutional template involving the National Assembly, the Constitutional Court, and temporary presidential succession.
Trust & Coverage
- Page Type
- Scenario explainer
- Last Updated
- April 4, 2026
- Sources
- 2 linked
Scenario pages are procedural explainers linked back to relevant institutions, offices, and countries.
They are meant to explain formal political processes, not speculate on current events.
Step-by-Step Process
Step 1
The National Assembly votes on impeachment
Impeachment proceedings begin in the National Assembly. A motion requires the support of a majority of all Assembly members to be introduced. To pass, it needs two-thirds of all members (200 of 300). If passed, the president's powers are immediately suspended.
Step 2
The prime minister becomes acting president
Once impeachment passes, the president's powers are suspended and the prime minister assumes the duties of acting president. The president retains the title and constitutional status but cannot exercise the functions of the office during the proceedings.
Step 3
The Constitutional Court reviews the case
The Constitutional Court has 180 days to rule on whether to uphold or overturn the impeachment. The court reviews whether the president committed violations of the constitution or law serious enough to warrant removal. A ruling requires at least six of the nine justices to agree on removal.
Step 4
Removal triggers a presidential election within 60 days
If the Constitutional Court upholds the impeachment, the president is permanently removed from office. A presidential election must then be held within 60 days. The Park Geun-hye case in 2016-2017 is the most significant example: she was removed in March 2017 and Moon Jae-in won the subsequent election in May 2017.
Related Entities
Sources
- Constitutional Court of Korea: Impeachment
https://www.ccourt.go.kr/site/eng/ex/bbs/List.do?cbIdx=1099
- Constitution of South Korea: Articles 65 and 111
https://english.president.go.kr/aboutus/constitution