South Korea’s Leadership Crisis Deepens as Opposition Targets Acting President Han Duck-soo
South Korea is navigating a deepening constitutional crisis, with the Democratic Party, the main opposition, declaring its intention to impeach acting President Han Duck-soo. This political maneuver comes in the wake of the brief martial law declaration earlier this month that has already shaken the nation. The party plans to introduce the impeachment bill on Thursday and hold a parliamentary vote the following day.
Han is accused of failing to carry out his constitutional duty by delaying the formal appointment of three Constitutional Court justices, despite their approval by Parliament. The court, operating with an incomplete bench, is expected to start hearings to decide the fate of President Yoon Suk Yeol, who invoked martial law on December 3.
“The acting president has proven incapable of upholding constitutional principles,” said Park Chan-dae, the Democratic Party’s floor leader. If Han is impeached, Finance Minister Choo Kyung-ho would assume the interim presidency.
Disputes Over Parliamentary Authority and Legal Interpretation
The Democratic Party’s parliamentary majority positions it as a formidable force, but questions remain about the required threshold for impeachment—whether a simple majority or a two-thirds vote is necessary.
Han has defended his decision to withhold the appointments, emphasizing that a lack of political consensus on the nominees could harm constitutional stability. Of the three proposed justices, two were nominated by the Democratic Party, while the third was selected by Han’s ruling People Power Party. The ruling party has criticized the process, alleging that it was sidelined during the decision-making process.
The opposition has countered by accusing Han of paralyzing the judicial system at a critical time. With just six justices currently seated, the Constitutional Court must achieve a unanimous decision to uphold Yoon’s impeachment, complicating the situation further.
President Yoon’s Defiance Raises Tensions
President Yoon, impeached on December 14 with support from some lawmakers within his own party, has so far failed to respond to the court’s demands for documentation. Adding to his legal troubles, Yoon ignored a summons on Wednesday related to a separate criminal investigation, fueling opposition calls for his arrest.
The Constitutional Court has stated that it can deliberate without its full complement of justices. However, the absence of new appointments has sparked widespread concerns about the legitimacy of its rulings. According to a court spokesperson, Yoon’s continued noncompliance with procedural requirements has amplified public and political criticism of his actions.
This unfolding saga highlights the deep political divides within South Korea as the nation grapples with the far-reaching consequences of martial law and its aftermath.
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