On Monday, Han Duck-soo, the Prime Minister of South Korea, took office as acting president once more after the Constitutional Court invalidated his impeachment by the National Assembly.

Originally holding the role of acting president following the impeachment of President Yoon Suk-Youl on December 14th, Mr. Han served only briefly before also facing impeachment on December 27th, intensifying political unrest in South Korea, a crucial U.S. ally in Asia.

The court still needs to announce whether it will dismiss or reinstate Mr. Yoon, a decision that has provoked significant anxiety among South Koreans. If Mr. Yoon is dismissed, a new presidential election will take place within sixty days. If he is reinstated, he will have to take the helm of a deeply divided nation due to contentions over his presidency.

In South Korea, the Constitutional Court is the final entity in determining whether officials impeached by the Assembly should be removed or reinstated. Its ruling is immediate and une appealed.

Since Mr. Han’s impeachment, Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok, as per the government hierarchy, has undertaken dual duties as acting president.

The Assembly accused Mr. Han of aiding in Mr. Yoon’s unlawful announcement of martial law. Additionally, they claimed he violated his constitutional obligations by declining to appoint three Constitutional Court justices picked by Parliament. Mr. Han has denied these allegations.

Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/23/world/asia/south-korea-reinstates-prime-minister.html