SEOUL, South Korea - The main opposition party, the Democratic Party (DP), announced plans to delay its impeachment motion against Acting President Han Duck-soo, reflecting the tumultuous political climate following the controversial short-lived declaration of martial law by impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol.
Initially scheduled for December 24, the DP's decision to postpone its impeachment motion came as the party awaited Han's response on several key appointments to the Constitutional Court. DP floor leader Park Chan-dae stated, "Thursday is the last opportunity," emphasizing the tight timeline for Han to demonstrate cooperation.
The impetus for the impeachment threat centers around Han's refusal to endorse two special counsel bills aimed at investigating both Yoon and First Lady Kim Keon-hee. The bills seek to address the allegations surrounding Yoon's martial law declaration on December 3, which was only briefly enforced and sparked widespread public uproar.
After meeting with reporters, officials from Han's administration expressed "strong regret" over the DP's imposition of impeachment proceedings. They underscored the importance of national stability, asserting, "The international community, including the U.S. and Japan, have expressed support for leadership under the acting president."
Political analyst and National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik criticized Han's lack of engagement with the bills, stating they are "demanded by the people" and rejecting the notion of bipartisan negotiations over special counsel appointments. Han's administration had called for collaboration with the ruling People Power Party (PPP) to sort through the contentious issues but faced backlash for remaining indecisive.
The backdrop to all this drama began when Yoon's hasty instatement of martial law was aimed at addressing what he described as 'anti-state forces.' His decree was quickly rejected by parliament, leading to his impeachment and leaving Han Duck-soo to navigate the fallout as acting president.
Despite the DP’s warning threatening impeachment, Han remained steadfast during the Cabinet meetings, urging bipartisanship and dialogue. Yet, the opposition characterized Han's actions as supportive of Yoon’s controversial governance style, leading to accusations of him being complicit.
The constitutional question at the heart of this political tussle revolves around the portrayal of Han as either acting president or prime minister. Legal scholars have suggested the ambiguity could complicate impeachment efforts, particularly the requirement of a two-thirds majority vote for the president, opposed to the simple majority applicable to other officials.
Pundits have begun to speculate on the potential ramifications of this political chaos. If Han is impeached, it sets the stage for the finance minister to step in, prolonging instability. Meanwhile, the Democratic Party holds the majority with 170 seats out of 300, leading them to believe they can muster enough support for their motion, albeit with calls for cooperation from the PPP and independents.
The matter of judicial appointments to the Constitutional Court is particularly pressing, as the court is tasked with reviewing Yoon's own impeachment and there are concerns about the future composition influencing its decision-making.
During statements made by opposition officials, the sentiment was clear: "We've made it clear the acting president's time is running out should he fail to uphold democratic principles through these appointments," Park Chan-dae stated, outlining their next steps should Han fail to act convincingly.
Kweon Seong-dong, floor leader from the ruling PPP, rebuffed the DP's claims, dismissing their approach as intimidation, akin to "mobster behavior." This highlights the intense animosity between the two factions, with accusations flying on both sides about the impacts on public trust and governmental legitimacy.
Given the growing tension, legal experts warn any moves taken without adequate consideration could lead to judicial challenges, complicaticng the already precarious intersection of law and politics in South Korea's current climate.
With the world watching closely, as international relations and economic strategies are invariably affected, how the situation will resolve remains uncertain. Analysts stress the urgency for leaders to prioritize democratic integrity amid the rising chaos.
