South Korea’s Constitutional Court reinstated Prime Minister Han Duck-soo as acting president on Monday. The court struck down his impeachment. He pledged to focus on steering Asia’s fourth-biggest economy through a U.S. “trade war”.
The ruling returns Han to power immediately amid months of political turmoil. He took over as acting leader from President Yoon Suk Yeol. Yoon was impeached over his imposition of martial law in December.
Han thanked the court for its “wise decision” and the cabinet for their hard work while he was suspended. He believes “the people are making it very clear, in one voice, that the extreme confrontation in politics must stop.”
Han said in televised comments, “As acting president, I will do my best to maintain stable state administration, and devote all wisdom and capabilities to safeguard national interests in the trade war.”
South Korea has been bracing for the potential impact of threatened tariffs under U.S. President Donald Trump. It is one of the world’s top exporters.
South Korea has already seen U.S. tariffs on steel and aluminum. It has been seeking an exemption from reciprocal U.S tariffs next month. Earlier this month, Trump singled out South Korea for applying high tariffs on U.S. exports.
Yoon’s martial law declaration plunged the key U.S. military ally into its greatest political crisis in decades. It sparked a leadership vacuum amid spiraling impeachments, resignations, and criminal indictments for top officials.
Han had lasted less than two weeks in the post initially. He was impeached and suspended on December 27 after clashing with the opposition-led parliament. He refused to appoint three more justices to the Constitutional Court.
The justices on the court ruled seven to one to strike down the impeachment on Monday.
Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok had assumed the position of acting president. This occurred while the cases of Yoon and Han were before the Constitutional Court.
Han, 75, had served in leadership positions for more than three decades. He served under five presidents, both conservative and liberal.
Han is a rare example of an official whose varied career transcended party lines. The country is sharply divided by partisan rhetoric.
The opposition-led parliament accused him of not doing enough to thwart Yoon’s decision to declare martial law. He denied this accusation.
Lee Jae-myung, head of the opposition Democratic Party, urged the Constitutional Court to swiftly make a decision on President Yoon’s impeachment.
The court is expected to rule within days. Yoon also faces a separate criminal trial on charges of leading an insurrection by declaring martial law.
A new presidential election will be held within 60 days if Yoon is removed.
Lee said, “The court’s continued delay in ruling is fueling concern and conflict.” Opinion polls suggest Lee would win an election if Yoon is removed.
South Korea has seen huge, mostly peaceful, rallies both in support of Yoon and calling for his removal in recent months.
Lim Ji-bong, a law professor at Sogang University, said he expects the court to remove Yoon. He said the justices will want to show they can be “united to make a bold decision to stop deepening national divisions.”
The unexpected imposition of martial law on December 3 and the ensuing political upheaval sent shockwaves through South Korea. It raised concern among allies such as the United States under former President Joe Biden. He had seen Yoon as a key partner in efforts to counter China and North Korea. The martial law lasted about six hours. Lawmakers defied a security cordon around parliament and voted to reject the declaration.
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