South Korea's political environment has reached unprecedented turmoil following the impeachment of acting President Han Duck-soo by the opposition-controlled National Assembly on December 27, 2023. This event marks the first time South Korea has ever impeached its acting president, exacerbated by the recent impeachment of former President Yoon Suk Yeol just weeks prior.
The National Assembly’s vote to impeach Han occurred with remarkable defiance from the governing People Power Party (PPP), whose lawmakers boycotted the proceedings and protested vocally against the decision of Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik. The vote ended with 192 legislators supporting Han's impeachment, well over the necessary majority threshold. The PPP contested the process, indicating it was required to meet the two-thirds majority needed for presidential impeachments, which added fuel to the already fiery political crisis.
Han's impeachment arises from his refusal to appoint justices to fill three vacant seats on the Constitutional Court. This step is pivotal because at least six justices must vote to support the impeachment of Yoon to validate the removal. By withholding these appointments, Han came under severe scrutiny from the opposition Democratic Party (DP), which argues this maneuver effectively hindered Yoon's trial and disregarded the legislative authority of the National Assembly.
"The Democratic Party impeaches Han in accordance with the people’s order," proclaimed Lee Jae-myung, the DP leader, encapsulating the party's rationale and justification for the move. This power struggle intensified following Yoon’s controversial and historically significant six-hour imposition of martial law on December 3, aimed ostensibly to subdue alleged ‘anti-state forces.’ This drastic measure, which tragically evoked memories of South Korea's past military regimes, was swiftly reversed due to parliamentary intervention, showcasing the growing disconnect between the legislative body and the executive branch.
Although he maintains there should be bipartisan consent for the appointment of justices, Han's stance is criticized by many as being aligned with Yoon's conservative PPP loyalists. Han expressed regret over his impeachment, stating it was necessary but also acknowledged the political mechanics at play. He intends to respect the National Assembly's decision and suspend his duties until the Constitutional Court renders its judgment.
With Han Duck-soo officially stripped of his powers, deputy prime minister and finance minister Choi Sang-mok assumed the acting presidency, ordering military readiness to preempt any potential North Korean provocations and assuring international partners such as the United States and Japan of stable South Korean foreign policies.
Han’s removal has raised considerable alarms not only within domestic politics but also on the international stage. Observers fear this leadership vacuum could embolden adversaries and destabilize the region’s delicate balance as South Korea navigates threats posed by North Korea and geopolitical dynamics. Choi Jin, director of the Seoul-based Institute of Presidential Leadership, stated, "Negative effects on the economy, culture, and all other sectors will likely come quietly and extensively," reflecting the broader concerns among analysts about the country's future.
The ruling People Power Party, declaring the impeachment invalid, vowed to seek legal recourse for the judicial review and to negate the impeachment's effect. The Constitutional Court now carries the weighty responsibility of adjudicating not only Han’s impeachment but also Yoon’s, which may set significant precedents for South Korea’s constitutional framework.
The fallout from these unprecedented impeachments not only highlights the deep divisions within South Korea’s political fabric but also brings forth pressing questions about the country's governance and international partnerships moving forward. How South Korea emerges from this crisis will impact its stability and security as it faces both internal and external challenges.
