Impeachment Motion Filed Against South Korea's Acting President

The struggle for power escalates as South Korea's acting president faces allegations of insurrection and failing to uphold constitutional duties.

In a significant escalation of South Korea's political turmoil, opposition lawmakers have initiated a motion to impeach Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who is currently serving as the acting president following the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol earlier this month. The Democratic Party (DP), which leads the opposition, is motivated by Han's refusal to appoint judges to the constitutional court nominated by them, with DP's floor leader Park Chan-dae accusing him of being an "acting insurrectionist."

This political conflict was ignited when Han failed to prevent President Yoon's controversial martial law declaration on December 3, for which he has since issued an apology. Furthermore, Han has vetoed several bills proposed by the opposition, including one aimed at investigating Yoon’s martial law declaration.

The impending vote on the impeachment motion is expected to occur within the next 24 to 72 hours. It requires the support of 151 out of 300 members of parliament to be successful. Currently, the DP holds 170 seats, while the opposition bloc controls a combined total of 192 seats in the National Assembly.

Initially, there was hope that Han would allow opposition bills to pass smoothly during his tenure as caretaker president; however, his firm stance has intensified the existing political strife. On Tuesday, Han concluded a cabinet meeting without discussing two major bills for special investigations into the contentious martial law and corruption allegations linked to First Lady Kim Keon Hee. His explanation—that he sought to give rival parties time to negotiate—has been dismissed by the DP as mere stalling tactics.

The DP's Park Chan-dae artfully illustrated the dilemma confronting Han, urging him to choose between being a "puppet of rebellion plot leader Yoon Suk Yeol" or a diligent public servant committed to the people's will. Han has declared he will not appoint the three judges nominated unless a consensus is achieved among the parties, leading to further accusations from the DP regarding his constitutional commitment.

The ruling People Power Party criticized the impeachment threats as interference with Han's legitimate authority, reflecting the deep divisions within the political landscape. Should the motion pass, the next line of succession for acting president would fall to Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok.

As the Constitutional Court prepares to deliberate on whether Yoon should be permanently barred from office, protests demanding Yoon's resignation will continue amid ongoing investigations into his failed insurrection, with the possibility of an arrest warrant looming over him for his refusal to respond to summons related to the charges.