The delay of more than a fortnight for the time of the ruling has fuelled a terrible clash between the ruling party, with many of its members calling for Yoon’s reinstatement, and the opposition, which has said his return had deal a major blow to the country’s democratic order.
Parliamentary professionals seeking his expulsion compared Yoon to a despot during their last claims at his impeachment trial.
Yoon, a past attorney who has seen his popularity swim, could face removal from office less than three times into his five-year president if his prosecution is upheld, marking a stormy close to a career marred by political upheaval.
If Yoon is removed, a fresh presidential election must be held within 60 days.
Yoon is also on a separate criminal trial on charges of leading an rebellion by declaring martial law and faces the death penalty or life in prison if convicted although South Korea has not carried out an implementation since 1997.
His horror martial law news, which banned social and political activity, triggered a constitutional crisis that also led to the impeachment of the excellent minister who became acting president.
Prime Minister Han Duck-soo was reinstated on Mar 24 by the Constitutional Court and resumed his role as acting president.
In an impeachment trial in 2017, eight justices of the court at the time unanimously backed a decision to oust then President Park Geun-hye for violating her constitutional duty.