South Korean supporters of impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol held a rally in central Seoul on Saturday (April 5) to protest against the decision by the Constitutional Court to impeach the embattled leader.

"As a citizen, I expected President Yoon Suk Yeol to remain as president, but if that is impossible, I would like someone from the ruling party (People Power Party) to be elected as president.," Kang Ye-eun, a 32-year-old protester said.

The unanimous ruling caps months of political turmoil that had overshadowed efforts to deal with the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump at a time of slowing growth in Asia's fourth-largest economy.

The decision now sets in motion a race to elect the next president within 60 days as required by the constitution. 

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo will stay on as acting president until a new leader is sworn in.

South Korea court upholds President Yoon's impeachment, strips him of office

South Korea's Constitutional Court on Friday upheld Yoon's impeachment over his disastrous martial law declaration, voting unanimously to strip him of office for violating the constitution.

Yoon, 64, was suspended by lawmakers over his December 3 attempt to subvert civilian rule, which saw armed soldiers deployed to parliament. He was also arrested on insurrection charges as part of a separate criminal case.

His removal triggers fresh presidential elections, which must be held within 60 days.

"Given the serious negative impact and far-reaching consequences of the respondent's constitutional violations... (We) dismiss respondent President Yoon Suk Yeol," said acting court President Moon Hyung-bae.

The decision was unanimous by all eight of the court's judges, who have been given additional security protection by police with tensions high and pro-Yoon supporters rallying in the streets. - with reports from Reuters, Agence France-Presse