SOUTH KOREA'S CONSTITUTIONAL COURT REINSTATES PM HAN DUCK-SOO AMID POLITICAL TURMOIL

An Emirati Magazine publication – Released on March 24, 2025 | www.emiratimagazine.com

South Korea’s Constitutional Court overturned the impeachment of Prime Minister Han Duck-soo on Monday, reinstating him as acting leader. Han had been impeached in late December following political conflicts with the opposition, leaving Deputy Prime Minister Choi Sang-mok as acting president after both he and President Yoon Suk Yeol were suspended.

Yoon, a conservative, was impeached by the liberal opposition-controlled National Assembly over his December 3 martial law imposition, which triggered a political crisis. While Han’s reinstatement may embolden Yoon’s supporters, observers believe it doesn’t indicate much about Yoon’s upcoming verdict.

The court ruled 7-1 against Han’s impeachment, citing a lack of serious legal violations or procedural irregularities in the motion. Han pledged to focus on economic challenges and called for national unity. Meanwhile, Yoon, separately arrested for rebellion, was released on March 8 to stand trial. If his impeachment is upheld, South Korea must hold a new presidential election.