South Korean Opposition Postpones Ouster of Acting President Han Duck-Soo

A banner showing images of Yoon Suk Yeol (R) and acting President Han Duck-soo (L), Dec. 21, 2024. X/ @CityNewsTO

December 24, 2024 Hour: 8:18 am

It would wait to see if he confirms the appointment of judges to the Constitutional Court.

On Tuesday, South Korea’s opposition announced it would revise its plan to submit a motion today to impeach Han Duck-soo, the prime minister and current acting president, stating that it would wait until Thursday to see if the acting head of government confirms the appointment of judges to the Constitutional Court.

Park Chan-dae, leader of the Democratic Party’s (DP) parliamentary group in the National Assembly, told the media that the party had decided to wait and see if Han endorses, on December 26, the appointment of judges to fill the three vacant seats on the Constitutional Court. This institution is set to begin deliberations on whether to uphold the impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol over his declaration of martial law on December 3.

Park added that if a motion is eventually compiled on Thursday, it would be formally presented to Parliament on Friday and could be voted on Sunday or Monday.

“December 26 is the last chance. Acting President Han must heed the will of the people and actively cooperate to end the insurrection,” Park stated, referring to the charge being investigated against Yoon under the state of emergency declaration.

For more than a year, a one-person protest has been held in front of the Israeli Embassy in South Korea. pic.twitter.com/Z4tOGtAubH
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The DP had already suggested over the weekend that, should two of its proposals for initiating special investigations into the president and first lady fail to pass, it would also pursue Han’s removal—a move that would escalate the political crisis engulfing the country. Ten days ago, Parliament impeached the president after he declared martial law.

The opposition considers it essential for the two special investigations to be approved—one concerning Yoon’s martial law declaration and another involving First Lady Kim Keon-hee, who faces corruption allegations—to increase pressure on the president and his inner circle ahead of his potential definitive removal from office.

The Constitutional Court will soon begin deliberating on whether to finalize Yoon’s impeachment, with a deadline of June 11 to issue its ruling. These deliberations will proceed regardless of whether the three vacant seats are filled. However, if no new judges are appointed, the six current justices on South Korea’s highest court would need to unanimously approve Yoon’s removal for it to take effect.

Meanwhile, the ruling and conservative People Power Party (PPP) has so far expressed its opposition to Han, in his interim capacity, approving either the Constitutional Court appointments or the investigations into Yoon and his wife. This appears to be an attempt to delay the process and improve the PPP’s position ahead of future elections.