South Korean Constitutional Court Rejects Impeachment of Prime Minister Han Duck-soo
Background
In the ongoing turmoil over suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol’s brief imposition of martial law, the South Korean Constitutional Court has made a crucial decision. On Monday, the court dismissed the impeachment of Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, reinstating him as acting president.
Impeachment and Ruling
According to Yonhap News Agency, Han’s impeachment was dismissed in a 5-1 vote by the court’s eight justices. Two justices voted to reject the impeachment motion entirely. The ruling came three months after the National Assembly impeached the prime minister and then acting president over his alleged role in Yoon’s Dec 3 declaration of martial law, among other reasons.
Key Points from the Ruling
Four of the five justices who voted to dismiss Han’s impeachment acknowledged there were violations of the Constitution and the law in his decision to defer the appointment of additional justices to the court, but noted it did not justify his removal from office. Justice Chung Kye-sun, the only justice to uphold the impeachment, said the violations were "serious" enough to warrant his dismissal. She also pointed to "serious" violations of relevant laws in Han’s refusal to promptly seek candidate recommendations for a permanent special counsel to investigate insurrection charges against Yoon.
Quorum and Other Charges
The six justices who voted to either dismiss or uphold the impeachment said there was no evidence to back the National Assembly’s accusations that Han took proactive action to give legitimacy to Yoon’s martial law bid, such as by convening a Cabinet meeting ahead of its declaration. The court also dismissed the National Assembly’s charges that Han attempted to form a joint governance system with then ruling party leader Han Dong-hoon and refused to promulgate two special counsel bills targeting Yoon and first lady Kim Keon Hee.
Response from the Prime Minister
The prime minister arrived at his office minutes after the verdict was announced, thanking the Constitutional Court for its wise decision. He stated that he would start by dealing with urgent issues first.
Implications and Next Steps
Monday’s ruling is closely watched as a test of the court’s views on charges raised against Yoon in his impeachment trial. The court has yet to announce the date of its ruling on Yoon’s case, though many observers anticipate it could come later in the week.
FAQs
- What is the significance of the Constitutional Court’s ruling?
The ruling is a crucial test of the court’s views on charges raised against Yoon in his impeachment trial and has implications for the future of the South Korean government. - What were the charges against Prime Minister Han Duck-soo?
The charges included his alleged role in Yoon’s Dec 3 declaration of martial law, as well as his decision to defer the appointment of additional justices to the court and his refusal to promptly seek candidate recommendations for a permanent special counsel. - What was the outcome of the ruling?
The court dismissed the impeachment of Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, reinstating him as acting president. - What is the next step for President Yoon’s impeachment trial?
The court has yet to announce the date of its ruling on Yoon’s case, though many observers anticipate it could come later in the week.