South Korea’s Constitutional Court reinstated 75-years old impeached Prime Minister, Han Duck-soo on Monday, marking a significant turn in the country’s political turmoil.
Han had been impeached nearly three months ago while serving as acting president, following President Yoon Suk Yeol’s removal from office.
With the court’s ruling, Han immediately resumes his role as acting president, a position he took over after Yoon was impeached in December for his brief declaration of martial law.
“I am grateful for the wise decision made by the Constitutional Court,” Han said after the ruling, expressing appreciation for the cabinet’s efforts during his suspension.
He added, “We will work together to prepare and implement responses to global changes, and to ensure that South Korea continues to develop well in the era of great geopolitical transformation.”
Yoon’s martial law declaration triggered South Korea’s most significant political crisis in decades, leaving a leadership vacuum and leading to a series of impeachments, resignations, and criminal investigations involving top officials.
Han’s tenure as acting president initially lasted less than two weeks before he was impeached and suspended on December 27.
The opposition-led parliament accused him of refusing to appoint three additional justices to the Constitutional Court.
On Monday, the court ruled seven to one in favor of striking down Han’s impeachment. While five of the eight justices acknowledged the validity of the impeachment motion, they determined there was insufficient evidence to prove Han had violated the constitution or any laws.
Two justices ruled that the motion itself was invalid since it did not receive the required two-thirds majority in parliament, while one justice voted to uphold the impeachment.
At 75, Han has served in leadership positions under five different presidents from both conservative and liberal parties.
He has been viewed as a rare official capable of working across party lines in South Korea’s deeply divided political landscape.
However, the opposition argued that he failed to prevent Yoon’s martial law declaration, a claim he denied.
During Han’s suspension, Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok took over as acting president while the Constitutional Court reviewed the cases against both Yoon and Han.
Parliament had impeached Han over his alleged involvement in the martial law incident, his refusal to appoint additional justices, and his opposition to special counsel bills targeting Yoon and First Lady Kim Keon Hee.
Han testified at his impeachment hearing on February 19, denying any role in the martial law decision and urging the court to dismiss the case against him.
The political crisis began on December 3, when Yoon unexpectedly declared martial law. The move sent shockwaves through Asia’s fourth-largest economy and raised concerns among allies, including the United States under former President Joe Biden, who considered Yoon an important partner in countering China and North Korea.
However, the martial law lasted only six hours before lawmakers, defying a security lockdown around parliament, voted to overturn the decision.
The Constitutional Court is expected to rule on Yoon’s impeachment case in the coming days. If Yoon is removed from office, South Korea will hold a new presidential election within 60 days.
(Reuters)
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