South Korean Opposition Presents Impeachment Motion Against Interim President

The South Korean opposition announced on Thursday, December 27, that it has presented an impeachment motion against Han Duck-soo, the interim president, following his refusal to confirm the appointment of judges and complete the composition of the Constitutional Court, which has led to the suspension of the impeachment process against the former president. The country faced a political crisis when Yoon Suk-yeol, the suspended former president, declared a temporary military rule on December 3. Yoon was suspended by parliament on December 4, but a ruling from the Constitutional Court and confirmation of this decision by lawmakers are essential to complete the impeachment process against him. The court currently lacks three judges, and while it can conduct voting with six members, even one opposing vote could reinstate Yoon. The opposition has urged Han to approve three additional nominees to fill the nine-member bench of judges, but he has so far refrained from doing so, putting both sides in a deadlock. Consequently, the Democratic Party, considered the opposition party, states that the interim president should also be impeached. Park Sung-joon, a member of the South Korean parliament, told reporters that this decision will be put to a vote on Friday, December 28. Park Chan-dae, the leader of the Democratic Party of South Korea, stated that Han's refusal to appoint these three judges proves that he lacks the 'will or competence' to uphold the constitution. Han argues that he will only approve the appointment of judges if the ruling party, the 'People Power Party,' and the opposition reach a consensus on the nominees. He contends that consensus must first be achieved between the ruling and opposition parties on behalf of the people, stating: 'A fundamental principle enshrined in our constitution is to refrain from granting exclusive powers to the presidency, including the appointment of legislative bodies.' If the opposition succeeds in the impeachment vote on Friday, it would mark the first time South Korea impeaches an interim president. In such a scenario, the Minister of Finance would assume the interim presidency. The opposition's impeachment motion accuses the interim president of failing to fulfill his duties as president in serving the people, citing his refusal to formally appoint judges and vetoing bills for independent investigations into the military rule actions by Yoon Suk-yeol and allegations of embezzlement against his wife, Kim Kun-hee. If the opposition succeeds in executing the impeachment motion, South Korea would witness its second presidential impeachment in less than two weeks, further fueling political instability in the country. Yoon Suk-yeol faces charges of 'rebellion' due to his declaration of military rule, which could lead to life imprisonment or even the death penalty.