The main opposition party in South Korea has postponed its plan to impeach acting president Han Duck-soo, deciding to wait until later in the week before making a final move, party officials announced on Tuesday. This decision comes amid growing political uncertainty following impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol’s controversial attempt to impose martial law on December 3.
Initially, the opposition Democratic Party (DP) had announced plans to introduce an impeachment bill on Tuesday. However, they decided to delay after Han, who stepped in as acting president following Yoon’s suspension, postponed signing a bill to establish a special counsel investigation into Yoon’s martial law attempt. The DP believes Han’s delay is an effort to support the suspended president and has accused him of acting against public interest.
With a majority in parliament, the DP is pushing for the impeachment, arguing that Han’s actions are undermining democratic processes. If the impeachment bill passes, Han would be replaced by the finance minister under South Korean law.
This political tension follows Yoon’s suspension after parliament impeached him on December 14. The DP has also pushed forward legislation to investigate Yoon and his wife over various scandals, including allegations of insurrection linked to the martial law attempt.
The ruling People Power Party (PPP) has condemned the opposition’s actions, claiming it could destabilize the government at a critical time when South Korea’s relations with the international community, especially the United States, are in flux. Meanwhile, Yoon, despite his powers being suspended, has not complied with investigations into the martial law declaration, as his legal team focuses on a review by the Constitutional Court.
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