Court Unanimously Upholds Cho Ji‑ho Impeachment On December 18 2025 the Constitutional Court ruled unanimously to uphold the National Assembly’s impeachment of National Police Agency commissioner general Cho Ji‑ho for his role in former President Yoon Suk‑yeol’s martial‑law decree and for blocking lawmakers from entering the parliamentary compound on December 3 2024 [2][3][4]. The justices described his actions as grave violations of representative democracy and the separation of powers, linking them to a collapse of constitutional order. The decision ordered his immediate removal from office.

Cho Ji‑ho Removed From Office Following Ruling Following the court’s decision, Cho Ji‑ho was dismissed from his post without delay, becoming the final figure tied to the martial‑law episode to face a Constitutional Court ruling [3][4]. The court noted that his deployment of police to the National Election Commission infringed the watchdog’s independence. Cho remains on trial for charges of insurrection connected to the attempted martial‑law enforcement [1].

Broad Internal Inspection Targets 65 Police Officers The National Police Agency disclosed that 65 officers have been placed under internal inspection over the past year for actions related to the martial‑law imposition [1]. Data on the inspections were submitted to ruling‑party lawmaker Chai Hyun‑il. Four officers have been indicted, three referred to a disciplinary committee, and one of the indicted, former Seoul Metropolitan Police chief Kim Bong‑sik, is a notable figure in the probe [1].

Legal Proceedings Continue Against Former Police Leaders Among the indicted officers, charges include participation in an alleged insurrection, reflecting the government’s effort to hold senior police officials accountable [1]. The disciplinary process and criminal trials are expected to proceed concurrently with broader reforms aimed at restoring confidence in law‑enforcement institutions.