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Prime Minister Han Duck Soo reinstated as acting president

Tuesday, 25 March 2025 8:23 AM [ Last Update: Tuesday, 25 March 2025 9:19 AM ]

Moon Hyung-bae, acting chief justice of South Korea’s Constitutional Court, presides over the impeachment verdict for South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo at the Constitutional Court in Seoul Monday, March 24, 2025. (AP)

South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck Soo was reinstated by the Constitutional Court after being impeached by the Democratic-led National Assembly for refusing to appoint judges who could have facilitated the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol.

Upon being reinstated by South Korea's Constitutional Court, Prime Minister and once again, acting president, Han Duck-Soo, sought to mend political divisions.

I will look only at the whole country and our people and listen to every voice in order to move forward the age of reason and common sense, I sincerely ask for bipartisan support to overcome the current crisis, move forward and rise upward.

Han Duck-Soo, Acting South Korean President, PM

South Korean PM reinstated amid political turmoil

South Korean PM reinstated amid political turmoil

South Korea

Han was impeached by the Democratic led National Assembly, primarily because he would not appoint judges to the Constitutional Court, which would have made the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol more likely.

I have to respect the court's decision; however, I am not sure (the) South Korean people will be able to accept the court's decision, which says Han's act of neglecting the constitutional duty to form constitutional institutions has not reached the level of impeachment.

Lee Jae-Myung, Opposition Democratic Party Leader

Seoul: Presidential impeachment trial

Seoul: Presidential impeachment trial begins

The Constitutional Court of South Korea has begun hearings over the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol. President Yoon shocked the country with his declaration of martial law on December 3, 2024.

The Democratic Party of Korea has unsuccessfully impeached dozens of officials in the Yoon administration.

It shows that the Minjoo, the Democratic Party in the National Assembly, could not just go around impeaching anyone they didn't like.

Han was really not guilty of very much.

They said that he had participated in the so called insurrection on December 3, but he says he always opposed it.

He said he counseled against it.

Don Kirk, Political Analyst

South Korean President Yoon arrested over failed martial law bid

South Korean President Yoon arrested over failed martial law bid

South Korea’s authorities have arrested the country’s impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol over his last month’s failed martial law declaration.

Massive rallies have gripped the capitol in recent weeks as South Koreans await the Constitutional Court ruling on President Yoon, expected within days.

The decision by the Constitutional Court to reinstate Prime Minister Han as Acting President may favour those who seek the reinstatement of suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol.

Still recent surveys suggest that about 60% of the South Korean public want Yoon permanently removed from office, a prospect that would trigger a snap presidential Election within two months.