South Korea’s Court Reinstates Impeached Prime Minister Han Duck-soo

South Korea’s Constitutional Court has dismissed the impeachment of Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, reinstating him as acting president after his suspension over allegations tied to a controversial martial law declaration.

The ruling marks a major development in South Korea’s ongoing political turmoil, which began when President Yoon Suk Yeol attempted to impose martial law in December—an effort swiftly rejected by lawmakers who impeached him soon after. Han assumed the role of acting president but was impeached weeks later over alleged involvement in the crisis and disputes over judicial appointments.

“The Constitutional Court has rendered a decision to reject the impeachment trial request against Prime Minister Han Duck-soo,” the court announced on Monday.

The court ruled 5-1 against Han’s impeachment, with two judges arguing that lawmakers lacked the required supermajority to proceed with the case.

Han, who immediately resumed his duties, welcomed the decision, stating:

“I believe that all citizens are clearly speaking out against the highly polarized political sphere. Now, our priority is to move forward.”

Awaiting Yoon’s Impeachment Verdict

The ruling comes as South Korea awaits a decision on President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment, which has become the longest-running deliberation in the court’s history. Yoon was suspended in December and later arrested in January on insurrection charges, becoming the first sitting South Korean president to stand trial in a criminal case.

Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung has urged the court to expedite its ruling, stating:

“The entire nation is losing sleep over Yoon Suk Yeol’s illegal military coup. Every day, every hour, every second, international trust in South Korea is deteriorating, and economic damage is mounting.”

If Yoon’s impeachment is upheld, South Korea will hold fresh elections within 60 days.

Meanwhile, pro- and anti-Yoon rallies have intensified, drawing hundreds of thousands of demonstrators across the country.

Lawmaker Kweon Seong-dong from Yoon’s ruling People Power Party welcomed Han’s reinstatement and criticized the opposition for disrupting governance.

“They should apologize for paralyzing state affairs for 87 days with a hasty impeachment bid.”

While Han’s reinstatement does not directly impact Yoon’s fate, legal experts note that the court focused on Han’s role in the crisis rather than the legality of martial law itself.