Constitutional Court reinstates Han Duck-soo after impeachment overturned

In South Korea, on March 24, 2025, the Constitutional Court reinstated Prime Minister Han Duck-soo as acting president after it overturned his impeachment. This decision follows a backdrop of political turmoil that began when President Yoon Suk Yeol was impeached on December 14, 2024, due to his controversial declaration of martial law, which had led to significant unrest and the suspension of the country's top two officials. The unprecedented successive impeachments intensified existing domestic divisions and generated concerns about the nation’s political stability and diplomatic relations. Han Duck-soo was appointed as acting president amidst the chaos but was later impeached by the opposition-controlled National Assembly in late December, deepening the crisis. In a ruling described as largely supportive of Han, seven out of eight justices voted to dismiss the impeachment claims against him, while one justice upheld it. The Court has yet to rule on President Yoon's impeachment, which is expected to follow in due course. Observers suggest that this ruling could impact the outlook for Yoon's case, given that the allegations against Han were less severe compared to those against Yoon. The reinstatement is anticipated to bring a degree of stability to South Korea's leadership amidst a politically fractured landscape, which has seen both major political factions attempt to undermine each other politically. Han emphasized the need for national unity while further developments unfold in the impeachment saga surrounding President Yoon and the overall political climate of the country.