South Korea's Opposition party vows to impeach acting President Han Duck-soo

South Korea's opposition seeks to impeach acting leader Han Duck-soo, deepening political turmoil and neighbourly concerns.

South Korea's main opposition party said on Tuesday (December 24, 2024) it will seek to impeach acting leader Mr. Han Duck-soo after he missed an opposition-set deadline to approve independent investigations into impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol and his wife.

If realised, Mr. Han’s impeachment would further deepen South Korea’s political tumult and worries by neighbouring countries caused by Mr. Yoon’s stunning December 3 (2024) martial law declaration and ensuing impeachment. Since Yoon’s impeachment, Mr. Han, the country’s No. 2 official, has taken over presidential powers and duties. If he’s impeached too, the Finance Minister is next in line.

The main liberal opposition Democratic Party, which holds a majority in Parliament, has slammed Mr. Han for vetoing several opposition-sponsored bills, including a controversial agriculture bill. It also urged Mr. Han to quickly appoint justices to vacant seats on the Constitutional Court, which is reviewing Mr. Yoon's impeachment and will determine whether to dismiss or reinstate him.

Filling the Court's three empty posts could make conviction more likely, as it requires the support of six of the Court's nine possible members.

The Democratic Party also demanded that Mr. Han approve bills calling for the appointment of special prosecutors to investigate Mr. Yoon for rebellion over his marital law decree and his wife for corruption and other allegations by Tuesday (Dec. 24). But Mr. Han didn't do so during Tuesday's Cabinet Council meeting, calling for the ruling and opposition parties to negotiate.

The Democratic Party floor leader, Mr. Park Chan-dae, responded that there was no room for negotiations about a Mr. Yoon investigation and that his party would begin steps toward an impeachment immediately.

“We've clearly warned that it's totally up to Prime Minister Han Duck-soo whether he would go down in history as a disgraceful figure as a puppet of rebellion plot leader Yoon Suk Yeol or a public servant that has faithfully carried out the orders by the public,” Mr. Park told a televised party meeting.