South Korea’s acting president Han Duck-soo faces impeachment as Yoon’s trial begins

Opinion polls show strong public support for Yoon’s impeachment approved by the parliament on Dec 14, as reported by Reuters. If the Constitutional court permanently removes him, a new presidential election must be held within 60 days.

The Democratic Party has criticised Han for delaying the appointment of three justices to the Constitutional Court, claiming he exceeded his authority as acting leader. If Han is impeached, Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok would step in as acting president.

Choi warned that removing Han would severely damage South Korea’s economic credibility. “Our economy is already under immense pressure,” he said. “Adding more political uncertainty at this time would be disastrous for both the economy and the people”, Reuters reported.

The ongoing crisis has rattled financial markets with the South Korean won falling to its lowest level since March 2009.

Meanwhile, the Constitutional Court has up to 180 days to decide Yoon’s fate. His legal team confirmed that while Yoon would not attend the hearings, his representatives would present his case.

When did the crisis start?

The crisis began on December 3 when Yoon shocked the nation by declaring martial law, claiming it was necessary to address “anti-state forces.” Military forces were deployed to key institutions, including parliament and the election commission, and strict measures were imposed to restrict political activity and media operations.

However, the parliament quickly rejected the decree leading to Yoon rescinding the order within hours. The backlash led to his impeachment and multiple criminal investigations into his administration’s actions.

This situation has become South Korea’s most severe political crisis since 1987, when public protests forced democratic reforms. The ongoing turmoil raises significant concerns about the country’s political stability and economic future.

(with inputs from Reuters)

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