South Korea’s political turmoil deepened on Friday as lawmakers impeached Acting President Han Duck-soo.
According to Breitbart, Parliament accused Han of stalling the removal process for former President Yoon Suk-yeol, intensifying the country's legislative and economic crises.
The impeachment vote occurred just 13 days after Han assumed his interim role. Speaker Woo Won-shik confirmed that 192 members of the National Assembly supported Han’s removal in a unanimous vote.
The National Assembly is sharply divided, with the opposition Democratic Party (DP) holding a majority of 170 seats against the 108 seats of the People Power Party (PPP). The PPP strongly opposed the impeachment and accused Speaker Woo of altering procedural rules unfairly.
The DP maintained that Han’s dual role as acting president and prime minister allowed impeachment with a simple majority of 151 votes. This procedural change further inflamed tensions between the opposing parties. Woo, a veteran lawmaker and former student activist, played a key role in this conflict. He earned widespread attention for his earlier efforts to overturn former President Yoon’s martial law orders on December 3.
The Constitutional Court now faces pressure to resolve the legal status of both Yoon and Han. However, the court currently has three vacancies, complicating the impeachment rulings that require six of nine justices to vote in favor of removal.
Han cited his limited authority and the need for bipartisan consensus as reasons for not appointing new justices. Critics argue this decision prolonged the crisis, as it leaves a path open for Yoon to remain in power with the support of just three justices. Deputy Prime Minister Choi Sang-mok has stepped in as acting president, vowing to restore economic stability and maintain order amid the turmoil.
The ongoing crisis has rattled financial markets. The South Korean won fell to a 16-year low of 1,467 against the U.S. dollar on Friday, reflecting investor unease.
Choi emphasized the importance of maintaining stability, stating, “The most important thing right now is to minimize the confusion in state affairs.” He also committed to doing everything possible to stabilize the economy.
Han himself had previously warned that South Korea’s external credibility could suffer if leadership uncertainty persisted. Despite his concerns, the National Assembly moved forward with the impeachment vote.
Han Duck-soo remarked, "In order not to add to the confusion and uncertainty, I will suspend my duties in line with relevant laws, and wait for the swift and wise decision of the Constitutional Court."
Observers have compared this crisis to the 2016 impeachment of President Park Geun-hye. During that period, an acting president successfully appointed a Constitutional Court justice, allowing the impeachment process to move forward.
The DP has accused the PPP of using procedural delays to protect Yoon from potential prosecution. The PPP has denied these claims and criticized the DP for undermining democratic norms with the impeachment vote. These accusations have deepened the divide between the two major parties, leaving little room for compromise as South Korea faces its most serious political crisis in years.
The impeachment of Acting President Han highlights the fragile state of South Korea’s political system. With judicial appointments delayed and economic concerns mounting, uncertainty looms over the country’s future. As leadership transitions to Choi Sang-mok, lawmakers and citizens alike await clarity from the Constitutional Court.
