IRIA News

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Prime Minister Han Duck Soo became South Korea’s acting president following Yoon’s impeachment. South Korean lawmakers successfully impeached former President Yoon Suk Yeol after his failed attempt to impose martial law in the country.

The political turmoil in South Korea began on December 3, when President Yoon declared martial law. The decision sparked outrage from opposition lawmakers and widespread protests. Yoon’s move was widely seen as an attempt to consolidate power, and it was quickly condemned by both the public and South Korea’s National Assembly.

Impeachment by National Assembly

On Saturday, the National Assembly voted to impeach Yoon, suspending him from his duties as president. The impeachment was supported by the majority Democratic Party and other opposition lawmakers. This marks a significant turning point in South Korea’s political history, as the decision to impeach a sitting president is rare and requires substantial support.

Yoon’s case will now be reviewed by the Constitutional Court, which has up to six months to decide whether to remove him permanently or reinstate him. If Yoon is removed or resigns, South Korea will be required to hold a new presidential election within 60 days.

International concerns

The impeachment has caused unrest both domestically and internationally. Han, who was picked by former president Yoon as his Prime Minister, spoke with U.S. President Joe Biden on December 15, to discuss after assuming the charge as the country’s president. He affirmed the strength of the alliance between South Korea and the United States during the call.

“South Korea will carry out its foreign and security policies without disruption and strive to ensure the South Korea-U.S. alliance is maintained and developed steadfastly,” Han said in a statement from his office.

Biden responded by emphasizing the close relationship between the two countries. According to Han’s office, Biden assured Han that the U.S.-South Korea alliance remains strong and that Washington will continue to work closely with Seoul to address issues, including military provocations from North Korea.

Calls for political stability

Amid the political upheaval, Democratic Party leader Lee Jae Myung called for calm and urged the government to focus on stability. Lee announced that his party would not pursue impeachment proceedings against acting President Han.

“Given that the prime minister has already been confirmed as acting president and considering that excessive impeachments could lead to confusion in national governance, we have decided not to proceed with impeachment procedures,” Lee told reporters.

Lee also urged the Constitutional Court to make a swift decision regarding Yoon’s impeachment to prevent prolonged uncertainty. Additionally, he proposed the creation of a special council for policy cooperation between the government and the National Assembly to ensure key issues are addressed during this transitional period.

Meanwhile, President Yoon faces legal challenges over his martial law declaration. Prosecutors are investigating potential charges of insurrection, abuse of authority, and obstruction of rights. Yoon did not appear for questioning on Sunday morning, prompting prosecutors to consider issuing another summons.

The martial law attempt has drawn significant public criticism. On the day of Yoon’s impeachment, approximately 200,000 protesters gathered outside the National Assembly building, according to police reports. Many South Koreans have expressed anger over Yoon’s actions, which they see as a threat to democracy and the rule of law.

Protests have continued since the martial law declaration, reflecting widespread discontent with Yoon’s leadership. Many citizens are calling for a swift resolution to the crisis to restore confidence in the government.

Yoon’s declaration of martial law also raised concerns among South Korea’s international partners. The move created uncertainty about the country’s ability to maintain stability and respond to threats from North Korea.

In his phone call with Biden, acting President Han reaffirmed South Korea’s commitment to national security and military readiness. Han assured the U.S. that South Korea would continue to work closely with its allies to address regional challenges and prevent any breaches of security.

The coming months will be critical for South Korea as the Constitutional Court deliberates on Yoon’s case. The decision will have far-reaching implications for the country’s political future and its standing on the global stage.

For now, the acting President Han and the government face the challenge of maintaining stability and ensuring that South Korea’s democratic institutions remain intact.