South Korea’s Constitutional Court Reinstates Han Duck-soo as Acting President Amid Turmoil

March 24, 2025 | InvestorHire International Desk – Seoul, South Korea

In a dramatic twist to South Korea’s most turbulent political crisis in decades, the Constitutional Court ruled Monday to overturn the impeachment of Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, reinstating him immediately as the nation’s acting president. The decision marks a pivotal moment for a country still reeling from President Yoon Suk Yeol’s controversial declaration of martial law and his subsequent impeachment and arrest.

With seven out of eight justices dismissing or rejecting the case, the court concluded that the accusations against Han either lacked legal weight or did not meet the constitutional threshold for impeachment. One justice dissented, but it wasn’t enough to block Han’s return to power.

"This is a victory for constitutional order and national unity," Han said in a televised statement just hours after the ruling. “There’s no left or right—what matters now is the advancement of our nation. We must focus on the most urgent matters, including our response to global shifts in trade and security.”

Han, 75, now resumes leadership at a time when South Korea is walking a tightrope of political division and international uncertainty. As acting president, he replaces Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok, who had been temporarily leading the government since Han’s impeachment in late December.

Crisis in Motion: Martial Law Fallout

Han was initially elevated to acting president following the December 3rd imposition of martial law by President Yoon Suk Yeol, a move that sent shockwaves through the international community and ignited mass protests across Seoul. Within hours, a bipartisan vote in the National Assembly struck down the martial law decree—but not before hundreds of troops and riot police had stormed the legislature, sparking outrage and accusations of authoritarian overreach.

Yoon, now facing criminal charges of rebellion, was released from detention earlier this month to await trial—his political future hanging in the balance. If convicted, he could face life imprisonment or even the death penalty under South Korean law.

What’s Next?

The Constitutional Court has yet to rule on Yoon’s impeachment, which was passed by the National Assembly on December 14. The court has until June to render its decision, but no date has been confirmed. If the court upholds the impeachment, South Korea will be required to hold a presidential election within 60 days. If not, Yoon could return to office and reclaim his powers, a move likely to spark renewed unrest.

Divided Nation, Shifting Landscape

In recent months, massive rival demonstrations have flooded the streets of Seoul—some backing Yoon, others demanding accountability. Public opinion initially leaned heavily against the martial law decree, but a resurgence of conservative support has fueled a charged and polarized atmosphere.

Adding to the political complexity, the ruling comes just days before a key appeals court decision on opposition leader Lee Jae-myung, who could be disqualified from future elections if his conviction on election law violations is upheld. Lee narrowly lost to Yoon in the 2022 presidential race and remains a leading figure in the liberal Democratic Party.

A New Chapter?

For now, Han’s return brings some stability to South Korea’s executive leadership. But uncertainty looms large over what comes next—especially as the world watches how one of Asia’s most powerful democracies navigates constitutional checks, criminal accountability, and the global implications of leadership under siege.

“This is not the end of the crisis,” said Park Min-jung, a constitutional scholar at Yonsei University. “It’s only the beginning of the next phase.”

Stay with InvestorHire for ongoing coverage of South Korea’s evolving political drama.