South Korea’s Top Court Reinstates Prime Minister Suspended Over Martial Law Controversy

South Korea’s Constitutional Court overturned the impeachment of Prime Minister Han Duck-soo on Monday, March 24, restoring his powers in the latest chapter of a prolonged political crisis that began when President Yoon Suk Yeol imposed martial law late last year.

The ruling comes as the court deliberates on whether to impeach Yoon, who briefly suspended civilian legal processes, banned political activities, and deployed military forces in the capital, throwing the nation into turmoil.

Yoon was suspended by lawmakers on December 14, after which Han took over as acting president. However, his tenure was cut short when the opposition Democratic Party filed an impeachment motion against him for refusing to fill one of three vacant Constitutional Court seats.

The Democratic Party accused Han of undermining the rule of law by failing to appoint justices, assisting in the martial law declaration, and attempting to govern alongside the ruling party before Yoon’s suspension.

The party also criticized his refusal to approve a special investigation into First Lady Kim Keon-hee.

Only one of the eight judges supported the impeachment motion. The court ruled there was no evidence Han deliberately attempted to weaken the Constitution and, therefore, should not be removed from office.

Monday’s decision reinstates Han as acting president while Yoon’s trial continues.

Han, 75, expressed his approval of the ruling, calling it a “wise” decision.

Meanwhile, the Constitutional Court has yet to decide on Yoon’s impeachment for his controversial martial law declaration. Yoon defended his actions in a surprise television address, accusing the opposition of “anti-state activities” and sympathizing with North Korea.

His decree was swiftly overturned within six hours after lawmakers forced their way past soldiers into parliament and unanimously nullified it.

During his recent trial, Han denied any involvement in Yoon’s martial law plans, stating that he had actually tried “to dissuade” the president during the brief Cabinet meeting before the announcement.