South Korean PM Han’s Impeachment Overturned, Returns as Acting President

South Korea’s Constitutional Court on Monday overturned the impeachment of Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, reinstating him as acting president. Han had initially taken over as acting leader after President Yoon Suk Yeol was impeached by the opposition-controlled National Assembly in December over his controversial martial law decree. Han’s own impeachment followed shortly after due to political tensions with opposition lawmakers. The court’s ruling does not shed light on the ongoing impeachment of President Yoon, but it could strengthen Yoon’s supporters and intensify the political conflict, especially with the nation’s top officials suspended amid growing divisions.

In a decision by seven of the eight justices, the court ruled that the accusations against Han were either not legally sufficient or lacked the seriousness to justify his removal. The impeachment motion also failed to meet the necessary quorum. Following his reinstatement, Han expressed his focus on urgent matters, particularly South Korea’s economic challenges in a rapidly changing global trade environment. He called for national unity, emphasizing that the advancement of the nation is more important than political divisions. The court has yet to rule on Yoon’s impeachment, which could result in a new presidential election if upheld, or Yoon’s restoration to power if overturned.

The political turmoil continues to intensify as Yoon faces charges of rebellion related to his martial law decree, which involved sending military and police forces to prevent the National Assembly from overturning his decision. Despite earlier criticism, Yoon’s supporters have gained momentum, and massive rallies in his favor and against him have divided the streets of Seoul. Meanwhile, Han’s refusal to fill vacancies on the Constitutional Court led to further tensions with the opposition, who now aim to impeach the current acting president, Choi Sang-mok, citing his alignment with Yoon’s party.