South Korea’s Political Crisis Deepens as Opposition Moves to Impeach Acting President Han

South Korea’s main opposition party, the Democratic Party, introduced a bill on Thursday to impeach Acting President Han Duck-soo, with plans to hold a vote on Friday.

The move escalates the country’s ongoing political turmoil, initially sparked by the short-lived martial law declared by suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol on December 3. Han’s impeachment, if successful, would mark the first time a democratic South Korea has removed an acting president through such a process.

The crisis unfolded after Yoon was suspended by parliament on December 14 over his martial law declaration. His formal removal, however, requires a Constitutional Court ruling, which has been delayed due to Han’s refusal to approve the appointments of three judge nominees needed to complete the nine-member bench.

Without these appointments, the court’s decision would require unanimous consent from the six current judges to finalize Yoon’s impeachment.

Han defended his stance, arguing that consensus between the ruling People Power Party and the opposition is necessary before confirming the appointments.

However, the Democratic Party accused him of obstructing the constitutional process, deeming him unfit to hold office. If the motion against Han passes, Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok would assume the role of acting president, further complicating South Korea’s volatile political landscape.