March 24, 2025 – A South Korean court has reinstated impeached Prime Minister Han Duck-soo as the country’s acting president. This decision comes three months after his impeachment, allowing him to return to office.
According to a Reuters report, South Korea’s Constitutional Court ruled on Monday to restore Han’s authority. His impeachment had added to the country’s ongoing political instability. Following the court ruling, Han officially resumed his duties as acting president from President Yoon Suk-yeol.
Han was initially appointed as acting president in December 2024 after President Yoon was impeached by the National Assembly. However, just two weeks later, Han himself was also impeached due to his declaration of temporary martial law.
After the ruling, Han expressed gratitude for the court’s decision and thanked cabinet members for their support. Speaking on live television, he stated, “We will work together to prepare for global changes and ensure South Korea continues to develop in this era of geopolitical transformation.”
Han has served as South Korea’s prime minister since May 2022. His impeachment in December 2024, following Yoon’s removal, further deepened the country’s constitutional crisis. At the time, Han was expected to lead South Korea out of political turmoil, but opposition lawmakers accused him of obstructing the impeachment process against Yoon.
In late December 2024, the National Assembly voted on Han’s impeachment, with 192 lawmakers supporting the motion—well above the required 151 votes.
According to Reuters, Yoon’s martial law declaration pushed South Korea, Asia’s fourth-largest economy and a key U.S. ally, into its worst political crisis in decades. The turmoil led to multiple impeachments, resignations, and legal battles among top officials, creating a leadership vacuum.
On Monday, South Korea’s Constitutional Court judges ruled 7-1 against Han’s impeachment. Five judges stated that while the impeachment motion was valid, there was insufficient evidence to prove Han violated the constitution or any laws. Two judges ruled that Han’s impeachment was illegal from the beginning, as two-thirds of lawmakers did not approve it. One judge supported Han’s impeachment.