South Korea’s Constitutional Court on Monday dismissed the impeachment of Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, reinstating him as acting president — a role he assumed after the president was suspended for declaring martial law.
The court’s ruling marks a new chapter in South Korea’s ongoing political crisis, which began with President Yoon Suk Yeol’s controversial attempt to undermine civilian rule in December.
In a historic move, lawmakers resisted armed soldiers in parliament to vote down Yoon’s December 3 martial law declaration. They swiftly impeached him, leading to Han’s appointment as acting president.
However, Han was impeached himself just weeks later over his alleged involvement in the martial law controversy, as well as a dispute over judicial appointments.
“The Constitutional Court has rendered a decision to reject the impeachment trial request against Prime Minister Han Duck-soo,” the court stated in a Monday announcement.
The ruling, passed five-to-one, determined that Han’s actions did not amount to a breach of public trust. Two judges argued the case should never have been brought to court, citing the lack of a supermajority in parliament to authorize the impeachment.
The decision is final and cannot be appealed, with Han immediately resuming his duties as acting president. He expressed gratitude to the Constitutional Court for its “wise decision” and called for unity in the country’s polarized political environment.
“I believe that all citizens are clearly speaking out against the highly polarized political sphere. I think there is no place for division now. Our country’s priority is to move forward,” he said.
Yoon’s impeachment case looms
This decision comes just as South Korea eagerly anticipates the Constitutional Court’s ruling on President Yoon’s impeachment, which has yet to be scheduled. Experts had expected a verdict by mid-March, but the case remains the longest deliberation in the court’s history.
Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung urged the court to expedite its ruling on Yoon’s case, stressing that the nation is “losing sleep” over the unresolved situation. He criticized the delay, warning of growing international mistrust and economic damage as a result.
If Yoon’s impeachment is upheld, South Korea will be required to hold new elections within 60 days.
Yoo Jung-hoon, a political commentator and attorney, clarified that Monday’s ruling on Han’s impeachment has no direct legal bearing on Yoon’s case. “The judges did not deliberate on the legality of martial law but focused solely on Han’s role in the matter,” he explained.
In the midst of these political struggles, President Yoon remains embroiled in a separate criminal investigation related to insurrection charges, which are not protected by presidential immunity. In January, he became the first sitting South Korean president to face trial, though he was released from detention in March.
Mass protests continued over the weekend as both supporters and opponents of Yoon rallied in the streets, demanding resolution.
Kweon Seong-dong, a lawmaker from Yoon’s People Power Party, welcomed Han’s reinstatement, criticizing the opposition for “paralyzing state affairs for 87 days” with a politically motivated impeachment effort.
AFP
