Following parliament’s earlier removal of President Yoon Suk Yeol’s powers, Han Duck-soo assumed the interim presidency.
South Korea’s Parliament voted to impeach acting president Han Duck-soo on Friday, according to local media. This followed his refusal to appoint justices to the Constitutional Court, a crucial step in finalizing the impeachment of his predecessor, President Yoon Suk Yeol.
The impeachment motion, introduced by the opposition Democratic Party, passed with 192 votes in the 300-seat National Assembly, as announced by Speaker Woo Won-shik.
The National Assembly initially impeached Yoon on December 14 due to his brief declaration of martial law. This emergency measure, declared on December 3, was based on his claim that the opposition, whom he accused of pro-North Korean sympathies, was plotting a rebellion.
Yoon’s impeachment led to his immediate suspension, but the Constitutional Court’s confirmation is needed. The court, currently three justices short of its full complement, can function with six members, but a single dissenting vote could reinstate Yoon under South Korean law.
Han, as interim president, was expected to appoint the justices to fill vacancies following requests from the opposition, which opposed Yoon’s return to office. The National Assembly approved three nominees—two from the opposition, one from the ruling People Power Party—on Thursday. However, Han, in a subsequent press conference, stated his inability to immediately appoint them, citing the People Power Party’s lack of support and concerns about harming the constitutional order.
“Our Constitution and laws consistently uphold the principle of refraining from exercising significant exclusive presidential powers, including appointments to constitutional institutions,” he explained, emphasizing the need for “consensus between the ruling and opposition parties in the National Assembly, representing the people.” The opposition responded by proposing Han’s impeachment.
“It’s clear that Prime Minister and acting President Han Duck-soo lacks both the qualifications and the will to protect the Constitution,” declared Park Chan-dae, the Democratic Party’s floor leader, in a statement announcing the motion.
Friday’s vote marks a historical first—an impeachment motion against a South Korean acting president. Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok is now expected to serve as acting president.