• South Korea faces an unprecedented crisis as its National Assembly impeaches acting President Han Duck-soo after President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment.
• Han is accused of blocking judge appointments in Yoon's case, fueling tensions and economic instability, including a drop in the Korean won.
• The Constitutional Court has 180 days to rule on both cases, leaving the nation in limbo.

South Korea’s National Assembly has impeached acting President Han Duck-soo, deepening the country’s political crisis just two weeks after impeaching President Yoon Suk Yeol. On Friday, 192 lawmakers supported the impeachment motion, surpassing the 151 votes required. This marks the first time an acting president has been impeached in the country’s democratic history.

Han’s Impeachment and Its Immediate Fallout

Han, who assumed the acting presidency after Yoon’s impeachment earlier this month, faced opposition criticism for blocking the appointment of three judges scheduled to oversee Yoon's case.

His impeachment follows accusations that he obstructed efforts to finalize the impeachment process against Yoon, raising tensions within the government. The decision to impeach Han has further destabilized the nation, with lawmakers clashing in parliament and the Korean won plunging to its lowest level against the dollar since the 2008 financial crisis.

Political Tensions in the National Assembly

The opposition-controlled National Assembly filed the impeachment motion on Thursday, accusing Han of refusing to cooperate during a critical juncture. Opposition lawmakers argued that Han’s actions undermined the impeachment process and delayed justice.

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During Friday’s vote, chaos erupted in the chamber as ruling People Power Party (PPP) lawmakers protested the reduced voting threshold of 151 votes required to pass Han’s impeachment, a stark contrast to the 200 votes necessary to impeach Yoon. Opposition members defended the change, claiming it adhered to procedural rules.

The Role of the Constitutional Court

The Constitutional Court now holds the power to confirm or overturn Han’s impeachment. It has 180 days to review the case and issue a ruling. For Han’s impeachment to stand, at least six judges must approve. However, the court currently has only six active judges, making the outcome uncertain. This same court is also deliberating on Yoon’s impeachment, which requires a similarly decisive majority to uphold. The opposition’s push for Han’s impeachment also stems from concerns over the composition of the Constitutional Court, as Han’s blocking of new judge appointments has left the bench incomplete.

The Broader Implications for South Korea

The impeachment of two presidents within weeks has plunged South Korea into uncharted waters. Political gridlock has worsened, and the economy has taken a hit. Both ruling and opposition parties have blamed each other for the ongoing crisis, with no resolution in sight. Analysts predict that Han’s removal will further complicate efforts to restore stability.

The political chaos has shaken investor confidence, with the Korean won experiencing record lows against the U.S. dollar. As the Constitutional Court deliberates, citizens remain divided, and calls for reform and accountability continue to grow.

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