South Korea’s Constitutional Court is set to announce its ruling on Friday in the impeachment trial of suspended president Yoon Suk Yeol.

The verdict, expected at 0200 GMT, will play a decisive role in shaping the country’s future.

If the judges reject Yoon’s impeachment, the 64-year-old will immediately return to the presidency. However, if the impeachment is upheld, Yoon will lose his political power and new elections must be held within two months.

On December 3, the right-wing conservative briefly declared martial law during a budget dispute with the opposition, plunging the country into crisis and leading to his impeachment by parliament.

Yoon justified his drastic measure by accusing the left-wing opposition of acting against the state and being infiltrated by communists, though no evidence has been provided to support these claims.

The police have already announced plans to cordon off the area around the Constitutional Court in central Seoul. A total of 14,000 security personnel are expected to be deployed on Friday to prevent violent clashes.