South Korea's Constitutional Court Dismisses Prime Minister Han Duck-soo's Impeachment

On March 24, 2025, South Korea's Constitutional Court ruled to dismiss the impeachment of Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, thereby reinstating him in his role as acting president amidst ongoing national unrest. This decision, reached by a 5-1 majority among the justices, followed a previous impeachment sparked by allegations concerning Han's involvement in President Yoon Suk-yeol's controversial declaration of martial law, among other charges.

Following the court's ruling, Han expressed gratitude for the decision and emphasized his intention to address urgent matters quickly. The justices who sided against the impeachment found a lack of substantial evidence to support the accusations made by the National Assembly, which had claimed Han acted to legitimize the martial law declaration by organizing a Cabinet meeting prior to its announcement.

In addition, the court clarified that the requirement to impeach Han was a minimum of 151 lawmakers, rather than the 200 typically applied to presidential impeachments. While awaiting the court's upcoming decision regarding Yoon's impeachment, South Korea's foreign ministry updated international counterparts about the ruling, indicating a continued commitment to diplomatic engagement.

The atmosphere in Seoul remains charged as tens of thousands of protesters have taken to the streets, advocating for resolution to the ongoing political crisis. This week is being characterized as pivotal for South Korea’s judiciary, given other significant rulings pending, including one related to the opposition leader Lee Jae-myung, which could further influence the political landscape.

Experts point to Han's reinstatement as potentially heralding new uncertainties in South Korean politics, suggesting it may reflect a shift in public sentiment regarding Yoon. This political turmoil is set against the backdrop of ongoing disagreements within the judiciary and political factions, with the recent court decisions likely to play a critical role in shaping future developments in the country.