South Korea’s Constitutional Court has overturned Acting President Han Duck-soo’s impeachment. This decision immediately returns him to leadership amid one of the nation’s worst political crises in decades. In his first address, Han vowed to guide South Korea through escalating trade tensions with the United States. He also called for an end to the extreme political divide in the country.
“The public clearly demands an end to this political confrontation,” Han stated in his televised remarks. He thanked the court for its “wise decision” and promised to “protect national interests during this trade war.”
The 75-year-old leader returns during a critical time for South Korea’s economy. The country now faces mounting tariff threats from President Donald Trump’s administration. South Korea currently deals with steel and aluminum tariffs while seeking exemption from additional measures expected next month. President Trump recently singled out South Korea for imposing high tariffs on American goods.
The crisis began when President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law last December. This triggered a chain reaction of impeachments, resignations, and criminal charges among top officials. Han briefly replaced Yoon but was himself impeached on December 27. His suspension came after he refused to appoint three more justices to the Constitutional Court.
The court voted 7-1 against Han’s impeachment on Monday. Five justices found that the charges against Han did not violate the constitution regarding martial law. Two justices went further and ruled the impeachment motion itself invalid. They noted it failed to secure the required two-thirds majority in parliament.
Han brings rare cross-party experience to this crisis. He has served under five presidents from both political sides during his three-decade career. Despite this background, opposition lawmakers accused him of failing to stop Yoon’s martial law declaration. Han has firmly denied these claims.
Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung accepted the court’s ruling but urged quick action on President Yoon’s separate impeachment case. “The court’s delay increases tension and conflict,” Lee warned. He expressed concern that the situation could move beyond “psychological civil war” into “actual physical confrontation.” Lee now leads polls as the favorite to win if Yoon loses his position.
The court will likely rule on Yoon’s impeachment within days, though deliberations have taken longer than expected. Yoon also faces a criminal trial for allegedly leading an insurrection through his martial law declaration.
Large but peaceful demonstrations have occurred across South Korea in recent months. Some support Yoon while others demand his removal. Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok briefly served as acting president during Han’s suspension.
The December 3 martial law only lasted about six hours. Legislators overcame security barriers around parliament to vote against it. This crisis worried allies, especially the United States under then-President Joe Biden. Biden had viewed Yoon as a key partner against Chinese and North Korean influence.
