Opposition threatens to impeach Han Duck-soo over unresolved legislation

South Korea is experiencing significant political turmoil following the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol on December 14, 2024, which stemmed from a controversial, short-lived declaration of martial law made on December 3. This crisis has compelled the Democratic Party of Korea, which holds the majority in the National Assembly, to pursue impeachment strategies against acting president Han Duck-soo, who assumed office after Yoon's suspension. Han Duck-soo faced increasing pressure from opposition lawmakers who demanded the promulgation of special counsel bills intended to investigate Yoon and allegations surrounding his wife, First Lady Kim Keon Hee. The Democratic Party criticized Han for his refusal to sign off on legislation enabling independent inquiries into insurrection charges against Yoon and corruption allegations against Kim. On December 26, Park Chan-dae, the DP's floor leader, publicly announced the party’s decision to initiate impeachment procedures against Han, citing his failure to comply with their demands and vetoing several key bills they proposed. This response followed a deadline set by the opposition for Han to act upon the special counsel bills they deemed necessary for accountability, which he notably ignored. The call for Han's impeachment signals a continuing power struggle within South Korean politics, reflecting the ongoing fallout from Yoon's presidency and the opposition's insistence on accountability from government officials. If Han is impeached, the political landscape would become even more precarious, likely leading to further instability as the finance minister would step in as his successor. Han, having held significant roles in government for decades, is now at the center of a contentious debate over his administrative decisions and their implications for governance in South Korea. Public sentiment has been deeply impacted by these developments, with widespread discontent towards Yoon's administration and concerns over a potential political vacuum should both the president and the acting president be ousted from power. The situation poses a challenge for the ruling People Power Party, which has been accused of obstructing the opposition's demands. This environment of political chaos has intensified worries among neighboring countries, leading to increased scrutiny of South Korea's internal politics and their broader implications for regional stability.