However, after four months of political uncertainty, many people have expressed concerns about what the future holds for the country.
For hours, the atmosphere on the streets around South Korea's Constitutional Court in central Seoul was tense. Dozens of people camped out overnight in the early spring chill ahead of the court's historic ruling on Friday.
Crowds demonstrating for and against the resignation of the country's impeached President Yoon Seok-yeol were separated by police buses and metal barriers up to 13 feet high.
As the acting chief justice began reading the decision, filled with technical legal jargon, the crowd fell silent, straining to hear the result over the loudspeakers that would determine Mr. Yun’s fate — and the fate of the country. Some people who opposed Mr. Yun cheered and applauded as the reading progressed. Protesters on both sides folded their hands in prayer. Many held up their phones to film the moment.
And then the crowd exploded.
Those who supported Mr. Yun’s impeachment responded with hugs, shouts and raised fists after the unanimous vote to remove him from office. Loud boos erupted at a rally of Mr. Yun’s supporters outside his residence. Some people cowered in horror and others cursed loudly.
“It was so hard, but now my heart is at peace,” said Kim Ji-sun, 55, who brought her daughter to witness the verdict in the hope that Mr. Yoon’s impeachment will be upheld. “I hope they can create a country where people can be happy.”
