The South Korean constitutional court has reinstated Prime Minister Han Duck-soo after dismissing his impeachment, intensifying the nation's political chaos as it awaits a crucial ruling on President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment.
South Korea's Political Drama Intensifies as Court Reinstates PM
South Korea's Political Drama Intensifies as Court Reinstates PM
Following a tumultuous series of political events, Han Duck-soo returns to leadership amidst ongoing instability.
In a groundbreaking ruling, South Korea's constitutional court has reinstated Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, overturning his recent impeachment and allowing him to resume his duties as acting leader. Han originally stepped into the leadership role last December after President Yoon Suk Yeol faced suspension and impeachment from parliament during a controversial attempt to impose martial law. However, Han's tenure was short-lived, as he too was impeached within just two weeks, which led to deputy prime minister Choi Sang-mok assuming control.
The political landscape in South Korea has been turbulent since Yoon's controversial martial law proposal. Han, who immediately took action by blocking the appointment of new judges to the constitutional court—an attempted move from the opposition to facilitate Yoon's impeachment—was quickly targeted for impeachment himself. Following Monday's ruling, with the judges voting seven to one in favor of Han, he expressed gratitude: “I thank the constitutional court for its wise decision. I will work to bring the government to order.”
Still looming over South Korea is another critical decision from the same court regarding President Yoon’s impeachment, which lawmakers initiated on December 14. The court's ruling will ultimately determine Yoon's fate and the future of South Korean politics: upholding the impeachment would lead to Yoon’s immediate ouster and necessitate a presidential election within 60 days, while dismissing it would allow him to return to office without delay.
The court has not yet set a date for its ruling on Yoon, and recent weeks have seen significant protests in Seoul, reflecting the divided sentiments among citizens supporting both Yoon and his opposition. Political analyst Leif-Eric Easley interpreted the dismissal of Han's impeachment as an effort by the court to maintain impartiality and promote stability amidst a chaotic political transition. He indicated that this ruling appears to caution progressive factions against excessive attempts to impeach government officials, highlighting that the court has rejected nine previous impeachment cases.
Easley's commentary suggests that by siding with conservative interests in Han’s case, the court seeks to establish unity and legitimacy in anticipation of their eventual ruling on Yoon's controversial presidency.
