Han Duck-soo Reinstated as Acting President Amid Political Turmoil in South Korea
In a significant political development, South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo was reinstated as acting president on Monday following a ruling from the country’s Constitutional Court, which dismissed an impeachment motion against him.
Background on the Impeachment Motion
Han Duck-soo’s return to power comes after he was appointed acting president when lawmakers impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol on December 14 due to his controversial declaration of martial law, issued earlier that month. Despite the declaration being quickly overturned via legislative action, it was criticized as unconstitutional, particularly after Yoon dispatched special forces to enter the National Assembly and the National Election Commission.
Constitutional Court’s Findings
During the proceedings, Han faced allegations from liberal opposition parties, alleging complicity in Yoon’s martial law declaration and failure to appoint three nominated justices to the Constitutional Court. While the court affirmed that Han’s inaction regarding these judicial appointments was unconstitutional, it did not consider this sufficient grounds for impeachment.
The ruling highlighted that a minimum of six out of the nine justices must support the confirmation of Yoon’s impeachment, which raises the stakes given that several positions on the court remain unfilled.
Current Political Landscape
Prior to Han’s reinstatement, Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok had been serving as the acting president since Han’s suspension on December 27. The Constitutional Court has not yet scheduled a ruling regarding Yoon’s impeachment, which is further complicated by ongoing criminal charges of insurrection against him.
The length of this impeachment deliberation has already surpassed the timelines of previous impeachments in South Korea, which raises concerns of a prolonged leadership vacuum. Citizens express growing unease at the prospect of Yoon’s possible reinstatement, coining the phrase “insurrection insomnia” to describe their anxiety.
Han’s Commitment as Acting President
On his first day back in office, Han Duck-soo reassured the public of his commitment to address immediate concerns amidst political unrest. “I will make sure to take care of the most urgent matters first,” he stated, recognizing the challenging political climate and the people’s desire for a reduction in partisanship.
When questioned about his plans to appoint the final nominee for the Constitutional Court, Han chose not to provide a direct answer, signaling the complexity of the ongoing political situation.