- The judges cite insufficient reasons for the dismissal of the acting president.
- Recognizing for the judicious decision taken by the Constitutional Court: Han.
- The politician immediately returns to his post after the court verdict.
Seoul: The Constitutional Court of South Korea restored the powers of Prime Minister Han Duck-Soo on Monday, marking the last turn of the country’s recent turbulent policy after its indictment as acting president almost three months ago.
Han took office as an acting chief by President Yoon Suk Yeol, who himself was dismissed on his declaration of law of short martial law in December. Following the decision, Han immediately returned to her position as acting president.
“I am grateful for the judicious decision taken by the Constitutional Court,” said Han after the decision, thanking the members of the cabinet for their hard work during his suspension.
“We will work together to prepare and implement responses to world changes, and to ensure that South Korea continues to develop well in the era of great geopolitical transformation,” said Han in television comments.
The Declaration of the Martial Act of Yoon plunged the fourth economy of Asia and a key American military ally in its greatest political crisis for decades and has sparked a vacuum of leadership in the midst of dismissal, resignations and criminal charges for a range of senior officials.
Han had first lasted less than two weeks of post and had been dismissed and suspended on December 27, 2024 after having faced the Parliament led by the opposition by refusing to appoint three other judges to the Constitutional Court.
The court judges, today, ruled from seven to one to eliminate the dismissal.
Five of the eight judges declared that the request for dismissal was valid, but there was not enough reasons to dismiss Han because it did not violate the Constitution or the law, according to a statement.
Two judges judged that the request for dismissal against Han, who was acting president at the time, was not valid from the start because two thirds of the legislators in Parliament did not adopt it. While a judge voted to dismiss Han.
Han, 75, held management positions for more than three decades under five presidents, conservatives and liberals.
In a country strongly divided by a partisan rhetoric, Han had been considered as a rare example of an official whose varied career transcends party lines.
However, the Parliament led by the opposition accused him of not doing enough to thwart Yoon’s decision of declaring martial law, an accusation he denied.
The Minister of Finance, Choi Sang-Mok, assumed the position of acting president while the affairs of Yoon and Han were examined by the Constitutional Court.
The Parliament dismissed Han for its presumed role in martial law, as well as its refusal to appoint more judges to the Constitutional Court and to support the bills of special advisers targeting Yoon and First Lady Kim Keon Hee.
Han attended the only audience in the case on February 19, where he denied any role in the episode of martial law and called to the Court to reject the indictment.
The unexpected taxation of martial law on December 3 by President Yoon and the ensuing political upheaval sent shock waves in the fourth Asian economy and raised concerns among allies such as the United States under former President Joe Biden, who had seen Yoon as a key partner in efforts to counter China and North Korea.
The martial law at the end lasted only about six hours after the legislators challenged a security cordon around the Parliament and voted to reject the declaration.
The decision of the Constitutional Court on the dismissal of Yoon is expected in the days. Yoon also faces a separate criminal trial to conduct an insurrection by declaring martial law.
If Yoon is removed, a new presidential election will take place within 60 days.
