South Korea’s Constitutional Court has overturned the impeachment of Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, allowing him to resume his role as the country’s acting president.
Han initially assumed leadership in December after President Yoon Suk Yeol was suspended from office following his impeachment by parliament for attempting to enforce martial law.
However, Han’s tenure was short-lived, lasting only two weeks before lawmakers also impeached him. Since then, Deputy Prime Minister Choi Sang-mok has been leading the nation.
The political crisis in South Korea has intensified following Yoon’s failed attempt to declare martial law.
Han, after taking over, blocked the appointment of new judges to the Constitutional Court—a move that the opposition believed would have strengthened the case against Yoon. In response, lawmakers voted to impeach Han.
On Monday, the Constitutional Court ruled by a seven-to-one vote to dismiss Han’s impeachment.
Expressing gratitude for the ruling, Han stated, “I thank the Constitutional Court for its wise decision. I will work to bring the government to order.”
Meanwhile, the country awaits another significant ruling—the court’s decision on President Yoon’s impeachment.
Yoon’s suspension, enacted by parliament on December 14, will only be finalized if the Constitutional Court upholds it.
Should the court overturn the decision, Yoon will immediately return to office.
A final ruling on Yoon’s case has yet to be scheduled, but tensions are rising as mass protests continue in Seoul, with supporters and critics of the president clashing on the streets.