In a significant legal decision, South Korea’s constitutional court has ruled against the impeachment of Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, reinstating him as the acting president amid ongoing political turmoil. This ruling marks a crucial twist in a series of political upheavals that have gripped the nation over recent months.
Prime Minister Han Duck-soo stepped into the role of acting president following the impeachment of the country’s leader, Yoon Suk Yeol, who faced consequences for declaring martial law late last year. Han's tenure as acting president was short-lived, lasting less than two weeks. On December 27, he was impeached and suspended after a clash with the opposition-led parliament, primarily due to his refusal to appoint three additional justices to the constitutional court.
On Monday, the court’s justices made a decisive ruling, voting seven to one to strike down the impeachment motion against Han. Out of the eight justices, five acknowledged the validity of the impeachment motion but concluded that there were insufficient grounds for removal, as Han did not breach the constitution or South Korean law concerning the controversial martial law declaration or any potential insurrection.
Two justices argued that the impeachment motion was invalid from the outset, citing that it did not receive the necessary two-thirds majority from lawmakers in parliament. Only one justice supported the impeachment. This ruling reinforces Han’s position in a politically charged environment.
At 75 years old, Han Duck-soo boasts a long-standing career in South Korean politics, holding leadership roles for over thirty years under five different presidents, spanning both conservative and liberal administrations. In a nation often divided by partisan conflicts, Han is regarded as a unique figure whose extensive experience transcends political lines.
Nevertheless, the opposition-led parliament accused Han of failing to adequately oppose Yoon’s martial law declaration, a claim that Han has firmly denied. During the interim period while the cases regarding Yoon and Han were under judicial review, Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok took on the responsibilities of acting president.
Parliament's impeachment of Han stemmed from his alleged involvement in the martial law declaration and his refusal to appoint additional justices to the constitutional court. He also faced pressure to support special counsel bills targeting Yoon and First Lady Kim Keon-hee. Han attended the sole hearing for his case on February 19, where he denied any involvement in the martial law incident and urged the court to dismiss the impeachment altogether.
The unexpected declaration of martial law on December 3 sparked widespread political upheaval and raised alarms not only within South Korea but also among international allies, including the United States. The U.S. had viewed Yoon as a critical ally in regional efforts to counter the influences of China and North Korea. Ultimately, the martial law lasted only about six hours, concluding after legislators voted against the declaration, successfully defying attempts by police and military forces to secure parliament.
This latest ruling from South Korea's constitutional court highlights the ongoing complexity of the nation’s political landscape and the deep divisions that continue to characterize its governance.
