The South Korean constitutional court has overturned the impeachment of Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, ruling in his favor and reinstating him as acting president. This decision comes amid a period of significant political strife in the country. Han had assumed the role of acting president after President Yoon Suk Yeol faced his own impeachment due to his attempt to impose martial law late last year. Han’s tenure was brief, lasting only under two weeks, following his impeachment on December 27 for refusing to appoint additional justices to the constitutional court.
The court’s decision, with a 7 to 1 majority, deemed the impeachment motion against Han as insufficient on grounds that he did not breach the constitution or South Korean law concerning the martial law declaration and alleged insurrection. Five justices acknowledged the validity of the impeachment motion but found inadequate evidence to support it. Two justices ruled the impeachment motion invalid from the outset due to a lack of approval from two-thirds of the parliament, and one justice voted in favor of impeaching Han.
At 75, Han brings a long and varied career to the table, having served in leadership positions under multiple presidents, across both conservative and liberal administrations. Despite the political divide in the country, Han was recognized for his ability to transcend party lines. However, the opposition accused him of inadequate action against Yoon’s martial law declaration, alleging his involvement in the episode and his refusal to appoint more justices and support special counsel bills aimed at Yoon and the First Lady, Kim Keon-hee.
Following Han’s impeachment, Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok took over as acting president while the constitutional court deliberated. The parliamentary impeachment against Han was based not only on his alleged involvement in the martial law declaration but also his stance against expanding the constitutional court and supporting legislative measures critical of Yoon and his wife.
Han maintained his innocence throughout the process, denying any involvement in the martial law declaration and urging the court to dismiss the impeachment charges during his only hearing on February 19. The martial law declaration and subsequent political chaos caused concern among allies such as the United States, which viewed Yoon as a crucial partner in geopolitical strategies against China and North Korea.
The brief period of martial law, lasting merely six hours, concluded after lawmakers voted to dismiss Yoon’s declaration, which had initially prompted efforts by security forces to isolate the parliament.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/mar/24/han-duck-soo-south-korea-acting-president-impeachment-court
