South Korean court reinstates impeached prime minister as acting president

The most recent twist in the muddled political saga caused by President Yoon Suk-yeol’s impeachment has been the reinstatement of impeached prime minister Han Duck-soo as acting president of South Korea.

The eight justices take into account Yoon’s fate while the impeachment of Han should be dismissed in a 7-0 vote on Monday, which reinstates him to the nation’s highest office. Yoon was briefly suspended from office on December 3 after the Constitutional Court of Korea decided to declare him in office.

Despite the fact that Han, 75, had an impeachment motion, five of the court’s judges determined that there were insufficient grounds to remove him.

The legislature’s motion for impeachment was rejected by two justices because it only had 192 of 300 lawmakers supporting it, a two-thirds majority, at first.

After being appointed acting president on December 14 for refusing to nominate three more Supreme Court justices, Han was immediately removed from his position.

Han thanked the court for its “wise decision” and pledged to concentrate on overcoming the geopolitical difficulties facing his nation in a televised address following the ruling.

“I think that everyone in the country is speaking out against the deeply divided political sphere. I believe there is no room for division right now. Moving forward is our country’s top priority, Han said.

The Constitutional Court is yet to decide whether to reinstate Yoon’s presidential powers or confirm his impeachment.

Since mid-December, the court has been deliberating about Yoon’s future, and a decision is widely anticipated in the coming days.

To remove Yoon from office permanently, at least six of the eight justices must support his impeachment.

Within 60 days of Yoon’s removal from office, a presidential election must be held to choose his replacement.

In connection with his brief-lived martial law decree, Yoon is also facing insurrection-related criminal charges.