South Korea's highest court has taken the historic step of formally removing the country's national police chief from office, following his involvement in a short-lived declaration of martial law last year.
Court Rules Chief Actively Disrupted Democracy
The Constitutional Court ruled on Thursday, 18 December 2025, that Commissioner General Cho Ji-ho must be dismissed. The court found he "actively disrupted" legislative activities by deploying hundreds of police officers to the National Assembly on 3 December 2024. This move was part of an effort to block lawmakers from reaching the main chamber to vote on lifting former President Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law decree.
Furthermore, the court stated Cho infringed upon the independence of the National Election Commission (NEC). He did this by dispatching police to assist the military's seizure of two NEC offices. Former President Yoon had claimed these actions were necessary to investigate what he called unsubstantiated claims of election fraud.
The Events of December 2024
The crisis unfolded when Yoon imposed martial law on 3 December 2024, labelling it a necessary measure against an "anti-state" liberal opposition that controlled the legislature. Hours before the declaration, Cho and the Seoul metropolitan police chief were summoned by Yoon to a safe house. There, they discussed plans to execute the order with Yoon's then defence minister.
Following the declaration, approximately 300 police officers were deployed around the National Assembly entrances. They were joined by heavily armed troops, including special operations units with Blackhawk helicopters. The court described this as a clear attempt to block a legislative vote.
Despite the blockade, a quorum of lawmakers managed to break through. Some, including current President Lee Jae Myung, climbed fences to reach the main chamber. They then unanimously voted to revoke the martial law order later that same day.
Legal Consequences and Ongoing Trials
Cho, who was impeached by lawmakers and arrested a week after Yoon's power grab, is the first commissioner general of the National Police Agency to be removed by the Constitutional Court. The court's ruling emphasised that Cho could not remain in his post as he carried out Yoon's orders despite being clearly aware they were "unconstitutional and unlawful".
Cho had argued his actions were not in support of martial law, but rather to maintain order and prevent clashes. The court rejected this, noting lawmakers were forced to use "abnormal means" like climbing fences due to his orders.
Cho was granted bail in January 2025 after a Seoul criminal court cited his need for cancer treatment. He still faces a separate criminal trial on charges of assisting a rebellion.
The former president, Yoon Suk Yeol, was impeached by lawmakers in late December 2024, suspending his powers. The Constitutional Court formally removed him from office in April 2025. He was rearrested in July and faces a slew of serious charges including rebellion, which can carry a sentence of life imprisonment or the death penalty.
