SEOUL: South Korea’s Constitutional Court ruled on Monday (Mar 24) to strike down the impeachment of Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and restore his powers, marking the latest twist in the country’s political turmoil after his impeachment as acting president more than two months ago.
Han took over as acting leader from President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was himself impeached over his short-lived declaration of martial law last year.
Prime Minister Han lasted less than two weeks in the post and was impeached and suspended on Dec 27 after clashing with the opposition-led parliament by refusing to appoint three more justices to the Constitutional Court.
The justices on the court ruled seven to one to strike down the impeachment.
Han, 75, had served in leadership positions for more than three decades under five presidents, both conservative and liberal.
In a country sharply divided by partisan rhetoric, Han had been seen as a rare example of an official whose varied career transcended party lines.
Still, the opposition-led parliament accused him of not doing enough to thwart Yoon’s decision to declare martial law, an accusation he denied.
