South Korea’s leadership crisis intensified as lawmakers impeached acting President Han Duck-soo, marking the ousting of a second head of state within two weeks. This deepens the political vacuum following President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment on December 14, prompted by his controversial martial law declaration. Yoon’s suspension left Han, the prime minister, as acting president. However, Han’s refusal to appoint three Constitutional Court judges crucial to deciding Yoon’s fate led to his impeachment.
Han’s ouster is unprecedented and leaves the country under Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok’s interim leadership, though Choi also lacks an electoral mandate. The Constitutional Court, now with only six justices instead of nine, requires six votes to remove Yoon permanently, raising stakes in the ongoing political turmoil.
The impeachment of Han, passed with a 192-0 vote, exposed sharp partisan divides. The opposition claimed a simple majority sufficed to impeach the prime minister, while Yoon’s party argued for a two-thirds threshold. Amid these disputes, South Korea remains leaderless during economic challenges, including a weakened won, falling exports, and a 10% drop in the stock market this year.
Investigations into Yoon’s martial law move, described as an insurrection, continue as the Constitutional Court deliberates his future. The crisis underscores a critical moment for South Korea’s governance, with uncertainty over leadership and the nation’s ability to manage its domestic and international obligations.
