South Korea’s constitutional court reinstates Prime Minister Han Duck-soo

South Korea’s Constitutional Court has dismissed the impeachment of Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, reinstating him as the country’s acting president amid ongoing political turmoil.

Han initially took over as acting leader last December after President Yoon Suk Yeol was suspended and impeached by parliament for attempting to declare martial law. However, his tenure was short-lived, lasting just two weeks before lawmakers also voted to impeach him. Since then, Deputy Prime Minister Choi Sang-mok has led the country.

The court’s decision marks a significant turn in South Korea’s deepening political crisis, which was triggered by Yoon’s failed attempt to impose military rule. Han’s brief time as acting president was marked by controversy, particularly his move to block the appointment of new judges to the constitutional court—an action that opposition lawmakers had hoped would sway the impeachment case against Yoon in their favor.

With Han reinstated, questions remain over South Korea’s political stability and the future of Yoon’s presidency. The ruling is expected to intensify tensions between the government and the opposition, prolonging the nation’s leadership crisis.