South Korea’s Political Crisis: What Happens Next as Impeachment Overturned

South Korea’s Han Duck-soo has been reinstated as the nation’s acting president with immediate effect after a constitutional court dismissed his impeachment on Monday.

Han, 75, formerly the prime minister, stepped in as acting president in December after the impeachment of Yoon Suk Yeol following his controversial imposition of martial law. Han was also impeached later that month.

Why It Matters

The Constitutional Court’s decision is likely to restore some form of stability and ease political tensions in the country after the turmoil caused by the dual impeachments. The court has yet to rule on Yoon’s separate impeachment case.

What To Know

Han was brought in as South Korea’s president after Yoon was impeached after a weeks-long standoff over his failed attempt to declare martial law on December 3.

He lasted just two weeks as the country’s leader following clashes with the opposition-led parliament. Han faced accusations of abetting Yoon’s martial law declaration, interfering with the process to fully reinstate the Constitutional Court, and blocking investigations into Yoon’s purported rebellion.

Finance minister Choi Sang-mok was then tasked with leading South Korea.

On Monday, seven of the Constitutional Court’s eight judges overturned or dismissed Han’s impeachment, arguing that accusations against him either did not constitute legal violations or were not severe enough to justify removing him from office.

In his first public duties since having his impeachment dismissed, Han visited the site of a wildfire in Gyeongbuk province in the east of the country, which has sparked the evacuation of around 600 people. He also visited evacuees temporarily seeking shelter at a local gymnasium, according to local media.

Seoul, the nation’s capital, has been rocked by protests in recent weeks ahead of an expected court ruling on whether to uphold Yoon’s impeachment.

What People Are Saying

Han Duck-soo said in televised comments after the ruling on Monday: “I am grateful for the wise decision made by the Constitutional Court. We will work together to prepare and implement responses to global changes, and to ensure that South Korea continues to develop well in the era of great geopolitical transformation.

“I believe the people are making it very clear, in one voice, that the extreme confrontation in politics must stop.”

Lee Jae-myung, head of the opposition Democratic Party, said: “The court’s continued delay in ruling is fueling concern and conflict.”

What Happens Next

The Constitutional Court’s ruling on Yoon’s impeachment is expected within days. If his impeachment is upheld, a new presidential election will be held within 60 days. If it is overturned, Yoon will be reinstated as president with immediate effect.