SEOUL, April 4 (Xinhua) -- The streets of central Seoul were charged with contrasting emotions as South Korea's Constitutional Court on Friday handed down its long-awaited ruling on President Yoon Suk-yeol's fate.

The ruling, which upheld the impeachment of Yoon over his short-lived imposition of martial law on Dec. 3 last year, has sent shockwaves across the nation.

Early on Friday, crowds of anti-yoon forces had gathered around the heavily guarded security perimeter near the Constitutional Court, their eyes fixed on a large outdoor screen broadcasting the ruling live, waiting for a verdict that would shape the nation's political future.

Waving banners demanding the immediate removal of Yoon, the crowd erupted into cheers as the decision was finalized.

The court's acting chief Moon Hyung-bae announced in a ruling that all eight justices had unanimously agreed to uphold the impeachment motion. With just over half of his term completed, Yoon was immediately removed from office.

Many among the crowd shared a sense of relief. Citizen Roh Yeon-soo told reporters that the martial law declaration had disrupted the country's social order, leaving students feeling anxious, businesses struggling, and the national economy in decline.

"I hope this chaos ends soon and that the country returns to normal as quickly as possible," she said.

In contrast, the mood was one of anger and heartbreak for supporters of Yoon who gathered near his official residence. One protester was arrested for smashing a police bus window, the Yonhap news agency reported.

Eight years ago, when then-President Park Geun-hye was impeached, as many as 77 percent of the public supported her removal, while only 18 percent opposed it.

This time, South Korea's societal divide is apparent -- while 57 percent of the public supports Yoon's impeachment, as many as 37 percent oppose it, according to the latest survey released by polling agency Gallup Korea.

Beyond the immediate reactions on the streets, politicians from both sides of the aisle have weighed in. The ruling People Power Party responded by saying that the party would humbly accept the Constitutional Court's decision and willingly take the criticism and reproach from the people.

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the main opposition Democratic Party, expressed gratitude to the public. "To prevent the tragedy of constitutional disruption from recurring, I will do my utmost to make politics a source of hope for the people and the nation."

According to South Korean law, a new presidential election must be held within 60 days following Yoon's removal. South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who is serving as acting president following Yoon's ouster from office, was expected to designate the date of a snap presidential election in 10 days, Yonhap news agency said Friday.

"I hope the next president can quickly bring the country back on the right track," one demonstrator named Lim Myeong-suk told Xinhua as he expressed his happiness over the news. Enditem

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