In South Korea’s political landscape, acting President Han Duck-soo was impeached two weeks into office amidst widespread turmoil.
At a Glance
- South Korea’s acting President Han Duck-soo was impeached; this has deepened the country’s political instability.
- The Opposition-controlled National Assembly voted 192-0 for impeachment.
- Deputy Prime Minister Choi Sang-mok steps in as acting president.
- The Constitutional Court will decide on final removal within 180 days.
Political Unrest in South Korea
Acting President Han Duck-soo faced impeachment by a 192-0 vote in South Korea’s National Assembly, controlled by the opposition. The assembly’s decision followed the controversial removal of President Yoon Suk Yeol for enforcing martial law. This historical impeachment of an acting president highlights South Korea’s intensifying political unrest. Governing party lawmakers boycotted the vote amid procedural disputes, reflecting deep divisions in the political landscape.
South Korea’s political uncertainty has escalated economic concerns, impacting the Korean won and Kospi index negatively. Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok is now acting president, prioritizing military readiness and assuring international allies of consistent foreign policies. Choi emphasized the importance of stability during this national transition.
“In a time of global trade wars and national emergencies, the absence of a control tower for state affairs would cause severe damage to our country’s credibility, economy, national security and governance continuity,” he stated.
South Korea's opposition-controlled National Assembly has voted to impeach acting President Han Duck-soo. The assembly approved the impeachment motion in a 192-0 vote on Friday. https://t.co/giyBCfjXzY https://t.co/giyBCfjXzY
— ABC7 News (@abc7newsbayarea) December 27, 2024
Reasons Behind Han’s Impeachment
The primary cause of Acting President Han Duck-soo’s impeachment was his refusal to appoint three Constitutional Court justices—a demand by the Democratic Party. This reluctance was perceived as obstructing justice, essential for decisions on Yoon’s impeachment. Despite Han’s stance on requiring bipartisan consent, the Democratic Party initiated the impeachment process. Meanwhile, accusations surfaced of Han collaborating with Yoon’s martial law declaration, further fueling calls for his removal.
Investigations into Yoon’s alleged rebellion and power abuse continue, with several senior officials already arrested. Former Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun has been indicted due to involvement with the martial law imposition, causing significant political disruption.
5️⃣ stories you need to know: South Korea's acting president Han Duck-Soo impeached less than two weeks after impeaching President Yoon Suk Yeol, Russian air-defense system downed the Azerbaijan Airlines flight that crashed in Kazakhstan, sources say pic.twitter.com/5zQzZLm9iq
— Reuters (@Reuters) December 27, 2024
Implications and Future Outcomes
The impeachment has wide-scale implications for South Korea’s governance and security. The National Assembly’s bold move jeopardizes the country’s economic standing and international relations.
As senior analyst at the Center for a New American Security in Washington, Duyeon Kim, highlighted, “South Korea is now in a far more serious crisis of leadership and governance. The DP’s political gambit is actually putting the country’s economy and national security at grave risk.”
The Constitutional Court’s imminent ruling on maintaining or reversing the impeachments will determine political stability. Han expressed regret, yet affirmed respect for the assembly’s decision, exercising patience for a “swift, wise decision” from the court. Widespread protests continue amidst these developments, reflecting growing public dissent against governmental actions. These events underscore a critical juncture for South Korea’s constitutional order and future path.
