Courts Reinstate South Korea’s Impeached Prime Minister as Acting President: Power Twists Continue

In yet another twist to South Korea’s unending power wrangles, the courts have overturned the impeachment of Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, reinstating him as president in an acting capacity.

The courts absolved Prime Minister Han from any involvement in the declaration of martial law by his predecessor, President Yoon Suk Yeol, late last year, ruling that the accusations against Han were not serious enough to warrant his removal from office. 

Prime minister Han had in January been impeached by the national assembly amid allegations of abetting President Yoon’s declaration of martial law, denying him the chance to serve as acting president after Yoon’s impeachment. 

Meanwhile, impeached president Yoon anxiously awaits his fate as courts are expected to rule soon on the validity of his impeachment. 

The power struggles in the East Asian democracy have split the country into two, pitting pro-Yoon and anti-Yoon protesters vehemently against each other. Only last week Seoul witnessed two massive protests, one in support of former president Yoon and another three days later calling for the dismissal of the embattled leader. 

With Prime Minister Han now serving as acting president, elections could be called soon. However, that only happens if the courts uphold President Yoon’s impeachment.