South Korea’s political landscape faced further turmoil as the opposition party moved to impeach Prime Minister and acting President Han Duck-soo. The motion, submitted on Thursday, centers on Han’s refusal to appoint three justices to the Constitutional Court. These appointments are deemed essential as the court prepares to review rebellion charges against impeached President Yoon Suk-yeol, related to his brief martial law declaration on December 3.
The opposition-controlled National Assembly has emphasized the urgency of filling the vacancies in the Constitutional Court, describing the situation as a threat to governance. Speaker Woo Won-shik criticized Han’s inaction, stating it undermines the National Assembly’s authority in selecting court justices. Han, however, has maintained that such appointments require bipartisan consent and argued that an acting president’s role is to ensure stability rather than make significant constitutional decisions.
Han’s stance has deepened political tensions, which have already disrupted high-level diplomacy and affected financial markets. The Democratic Party accused conservatives of deliberately delaying the appointments to shield Yoon’s presidency from the impeachment process. Democratic Party floor leader Park Chan-dae questioned Han’s qualifications and commitment to constitutional responsibilities, suggesting he lacks the leadership required during this critical time.
The National Assembly may hold a floor vote on Han’s impeachment as early as Friday. If the motion succeeds, Deputy Prime Minister Choi Sang-mok could assume Han’s responsibilities. However, the legal grounds for impeaching an acting president remain unclear. While ordinary officials can be impeached with a simple majority, removing a president requires a two-thirds majority. The Democratic Party, with 170 of 300 seats, would need additional support from other parties to reach the threshold.
Han has defended his decision to withhold the court appointments, arguing that any action must reflect consensus between ruling and opposition parties. He reiterated his focus on maintaining stability during a governance crisis and refraining from decisions that could further polarize the country.
President Yoon’s powers were suspended on December 14 after the National Assembly voted to impeach him over alleged attempts to consolidate power through martial law. The Constitutional Court, currently operating with only six justices, requires six votes to uphold the impeachment. With three vacancies, achieving the required majority has become increasingly challenging.
The controversy surrounding Yoon extends beyond the martial law decree. The president has avoided law enforcement summonses related to rebellion charges and blocked investigative searches of his office. His lawyer argued that the martial law declaration aimed to address political misconduct rather than constitute an act of rebellion. Meanwhile, authorities have arrested key figures, including the former defense minister and police chief, for their roles in the attempted implementation of martial law.
Han’s leadership has faced criticism beyond the court appointments. The opposition has accused him of vetoing agricultural bills and refusing to authorize investigations into corruption allegations involving Yoon’s wife, Kim Keon-hee. These actions have further strained relations between the government and opposition parties.
The Democratic Party remains steadfast in its push for Han’s impeachment, viewing his leadership as an obstacle to resolving the country’s political paralysis. However, conservative lawmakers argue that Han should not wield presidential powers, including court appointments, while Yoon remains formally in office.
The ongoing standoff underscores deep divisions within South Korea’s political system. The inability to fill critical court positions has delayed the impeachment trial, exacerbating uncertainty about the country’s leadership. The situation has also raised questions about the balance of power between the executive and legislative branches and the role of acting presidents in navigating constitutional crises.
As the National Assembly prepares to vote on Han’s impeachment, the outcome could significantly shape South Korea’s political trajectory. Whether Han’s cautious approach or the opposition’s demands for decisive action prevail, the resolution of this crisis will have lasting implications for governance and the rule of law in the country.
