Prime Minister Han Duck-soo has been reinstated by South Korea's Constitutional Court after the National Assembly's impeachment was overturned. This decision adds to the political instability following President Yoon Suk Yeol's suspension, leaving the nation on edge as critical rulings about its leadership loom.
South Korea's Constitutional Court Reinstates Prime Minister Han Duck-soo Amid Political Turmoil
South Korea's Constitutional Court Reinstates Prime Minister Han Duck-soo Amid Political Turmoil
The South Korean leader returns to power as the court overturns his impeachment, while the fate of President Yoon Suk Yeol remains uncertain.
Prime Minister Han Duck-soo of South Korea has been reinstated as acting president after the nation’s Constitutional Court annulled his previous impeachment by the National Assembly. This ruling occurred on March 23, 2025. Han had assumed the role of acting president when the Assembly impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol on December 14, 2024, over issues connected to his controversial attempt to implement martial law. His own impeachment followed just weeks later, on December 27, creating further uncertainty in the country's political landscape.
While the Constitutional Court's decision to restore Han was immediate and unappealable, the court has not yet signaled when it will resolve the pressing question of Yoon's impeachment status. This critical decision has left South Koreans anxious as they await clarity on their leadership. Should Yoon be ousted, South Korea would be required to hold presidential elections within 60 days. Conversely, if he is reinstated, he will take office again amid heightened divisions within the nation concerning his administration.
The Constitutional Court serves as the ultimate arbiter regarding impeachments, impacting whether officials like Han are removed or reinstated. Since his impeachment, Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok has taken on the role of acting president, further complicating governance in South Korea. The Assembly's accusations against Han included collusion in Yoon's purportedly illegal martial law declaration and failure to appoint three Constitutional Court justices vetted by Parliament—charges that Han has denied.
As South Korea grapples with this political chaos, the stakes are undeniably high, both for its governance and for its standing in global affairs, particularly as it navigates its role as a key ally of the United States in the region.
