On Friday, the National Assembly made a significant decision by voting to impeach acting president Han Duck-soo, marking a pivotal moment in South Korea’s political landscape. This decision came just two weeks after the Assembly also chose to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol. The support for Han’s impeachment was substantial, with 192 lawmakers voting in favor, exceeding the 151 votes required for the motion to pass.
Han Duck-soo assumed the role of acting president following President Yoon’s impeachment, a process triggered by Yoon’s controversial attempt to impose martial law on December 3rd, which he argued was necessary to safeguard the nation from “anti-state” forces. However, this emergency declaration was quickly overturned a few hours later, with 190 lawmakers voting against it. The events surrounding this situation saw many members of parliament navigating security challenges to reach the voting chamber.
Despite stepping into this challenging role, Han faced difficulties in managing the ongoing political crisis, with opposition lawmakers criticizing him for not advancing the impeachment process against Yoon and for blocking the appointment of three judges proposed by parliament. This led to the opposition filing an impeachment motion against Han, continuing the trend of political dynamism in the country.
In response to the impeachment vote, Han acknowledged the Assembly’s decision and expressed his willingness to await the Constitutional Court’s ruling. Following formal notification of his impeachment, he will be suspended from his position, marking an unprecedented event in South Korea’s democratic history as it is the first time an acting president has faced impeachment.
Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok is anticipated to step in as acting president after Han’s suspension, tasked with addressing the challenges at hand. Meanwhile, the Constitutional Court will review the case regarding President Yoon, where a minimum of six of its nine judges must agree for his removal from office. With only six judges currently seated, any disagreement could hinder the impeachment process.
Initially, the opposition sought to appoint three additional judges to enhance their chances of successfully impeaching Yoon, but Han’s refusal to authorize those appointments has complicated their efforts. Similarly, Han’s impeachment will also be subject to review by the Constitutional Court, which has up to 180 days to determine whether it will be upheld.
In the wake of the unsuccessful martial law attempt, President Yoon has encountered considerable political and legal challenges, with high-ranking officials from his administration facing serious charges. Yoon himself is currently undergoing an impeachment trial. Although he has been suspended and restricted from leaving the country, reports indicate that Yoon has not responded to investigators’ inquiries. This situation has raised important questions about the resilience of South Korea’s democratic institutions and the ongoing evolution of its political landscape.