South Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol was impeached after declaring martial law, leading to Prime Minister Han Duck-soo becoming acting leader before being impeached himself. The Constitutional Court overturned Han’s impeachment, reinstating him. The successive impeachments of the country’s top two officials intensified domestic divisions, with massive rival rallies in support or opposition of Yoon taking place in major cities.
The Constitutional Court’s ruling on Han’s impeachment was seen as separate from the upcoming decision on Yoon. Han’s reinstatement emboldened Yoon’s supporters and heightened their political offensive against the opposition. Han, upon returning to office, promised to focus on addressing urgent matters in a fast-changing global trade environment and called for national unity. Meanwhile, concerns over South Korea’s diplomatic and economic activities grew as the country faced political turmoil.
Yoon’s declaration of martial law on December 3 and subsequent impeachment for allegedly violating the Constitution and suppressing assembly activities further deepened divisions in South Korea. The decision to impeach Han stemmed from his failure to fill empty seats on the Constitutional Court’s bench, affecting the outcome of Yoon’s impeachment. The court’s ruling on Han’s case drew mixed reactions, with opposition parties expressing regret and Yoon’s office viewing it as a response to a malicious political offensive.
Speculation surrounds the Constitutional Court’s impending verdict on Yoon’s impeachment, with no ruling expected yet. The ongoing political crisis has led to rival rallies in support or condemnation of Yoon across major cities in South Korea. Yoon defends his martial law imposition as a response to the Democratic Party’s obstruction of his agenda, while critics believe it was to prevent investigations into potential scandals involving him and his wife. If the court upholds Yoon’s impeachment, a presidential election must be held to choose his successor.
Yoon faces separate charges of directing rebellion, which could carry severe penalties if he is convicted. The reinstatement of Han as acting president is expected to bring more stability to South Korea compared to when his powers were suspended. The deepening political divisions and continuing uncertainty surrounding Yoon’s fate have raised concerns about the country’s future diplomatic and economic activities. The Constitutional Court’s impending decision on Yoon’s impeachment will have far-reaching implications for the nation’s political landscape.
