South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo reinstated as acting president

After President Yoon Suk-yeol was impeached for declaring martial law on December 3, 2024, Han Duck-soo took over as acting president. However, on December 27, 2024, Han was also impeached and suspended from office after clashing with the National Assembly, which the opposition holds a majority in, by refusing to appoint three more judges to the Constitutional Court.

Acting President and Prime Minister of South Korea Han Duck-soo speaks to the press after being reinstated. Photo: Yonhap

According to Yonhap News Agency, the impeachment of Mr. Han Duck-soo was rejected by eight judges of the Constitutional Court with a vote of 7 to 1. The ruling came three months after the country's National Assembly impeached Prime Minister and Acting President Han Duck-soo for his role in President Yoon's declaration of martial law in December 2024, among other reasons.

Han Duck-soo, 75, is a veteran politician who has served in South Korea for more than three decades under five presidents. But the opposition-led National Assembly has accused him of not doing enough to stop President Yoon’s decision to impose martial law. Han attended his only hearing on Feb. 19, where he denied any role in the imposition of martial law and urged the court to dismiss his impeachment.

On March 24, immediately after being reinstated, Mr. Han Duck-soo returned to his office. "I thank the Constitutional Court for their wise decision. First, I will deal with urgent issues," said Prime Minister Han Duck-soo. In addition, Mr. Han also called for national unity when the country is polarized by the impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol.

Source: https://baogialai.com.vn/thu-tuong-han-quoc-han-duck-soo-duoc-phuc-chuc-quyen-tong-thong-post316071.html