SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — In a significant move, South Korea’s Constitutional Court has overturned the impeachment of Prime Minister Han Duck-soo. This decision reinstates him as the country’s acting leader while the court deliberates on President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment stemming from his controversial imposition of martial law last year.
The court’s ruling wasn’t a commentary on Yoon’s situation, as Han largely played a passive role in the martial law decision. However, it has empowered Yoon’s supporters, perhaps igniting a more aggressive political stance against the opposition.
After his reinstatement, Han expressed gratitude to the court, calling their verdict a “wise” one. He emphasized his commitment to addressing urgent issues like the shifting landscape of global trade, particularly in light of aggressive tariff policies from the U.S. He urged for national unity, stating, “There’s no left or right — what matters is the advancement of our nation.”
Han stepped into the acting president role after Yoon was impeached by the opposition-controlled National Assembly. However, he soon faced impeachment as well amid escalating political tensions.
The rare back-to-back impeachments of the top leaders have intensified divisions within the country. Choi Sang-mok, the deputy prime minister and finance minister, has been stepping in as acting president since Han’s powers were temporarily suspended.
In the recent court decision, seven out of eight justices ruled against Han’s impeachment, stating that the charges lacked sufficient legal grounding or severity to justify removal from office. Only one justice voted to uphold the impeachment. The court has yet to rule on Yoon’s case, and a decision is expected soon.
The impact of today’s ruling is significant for both supporters and opponents of Yoon. Duyeon Kim, an analyst at the Center for a New American Security, noted that Han’s reinstatement might encourage more stability in South Korea. However, it remains unclear how the upcoming verdict on Yoon will unfold, especially since the allegations against him differ significantly from those against Han.
Yoon faces serious charges tied to rebellion over his martial law decree— a potentially deadly conviction. His earlier arrest was overturned by a district court, allowing him to remain out of jail while awaiting trial.
Protests supporting and opposing Yoon have erupted across major cities in South Korea. Early polling indicated discontent with Yoon’s martial law actions, but support for him is reportedly growing. The divisive issue centers around his decision to deploy troops and police to the National Assembly, aiming to maintain order, which critics argue was intended to prevent lawmakers from voting on his decree.
Han, appointed by Yoon, had previously worked to assure international partners and stabilize markets while serving as acting president. His impeachment was triggered by criticism over his failure to nominate justices for the Constitutional Court. Adding justices is contentious, as this could shift power dynamics, especially for Yoon’s current political standing.
Recent surveys suggest that a majority of citizens disapproved of Yoon’s actions last year, yet public sentiment appears to be shifting as his supporters rally for his return. Both Han and Choi have cited the need for bipartisan agreement in judicial appointments, but critics allege they are simply siding with Yoon’s party.
As political proceedings continue, the turbulence in South Korea’s leadership reflects broader societal divisions and raises questions about governance moving forward.
For more context on South Korea’s political landscape, you can read about its historical governors here.
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Source linkYoon Suk Yeol, South Korea, Han Duck-soo, South Korea government, Impeachment, Seoul, Courts, General news, AP Top News, World news, Politics, Donald Trump
