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South KoreaRussia’s main opposition party has decided not to impeach acting President Han Duck Soo, providing a critical lifeline to the country’s leadership amid ongoing political turmoil over Yoon Suk Yeol’s short-term state of emergency.
The Democratic Party, which holds the parliamentary majority, said further impeachment efforts could destabilize the administration and deepen national confusion.
“Given that the prime minister has already been confirmed as acting president and considering that excessive impeachment could lead to confusion in the national administration, we have decided not to proceed with the impeachment procedure,” said Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party. , in a statement on Sunday.
This decision followed the day after the impeachment of Mr. Yoona his decree of emergency of December 3which lasted only six hours earlier overruled by Parliament.
The the crisis caused alarm both domestically and internationallywith allies and markets seeking guarantees of stability. Mr. Han, a seasoned bureaucrat elevated to the role under constitutional provisions, moved quickly to appease South Korea’s partners and maintain the country’s diplomatic and economic standing.
Mr. Han held talks with US President Joe Biden on Sunday to discuss the unfolding situation and regional security concerns, including the North Korean nuclear threat.
According to statements from both governments, Mr. Biden reaffirmed the US’s “ironclad commitment” to South Korea, expressing confidence in the resilience of its democratic institutions.
“South Korea will carry out its foreign and security policy without interference and strive to ensure that the South Korea-US alliance is maintained and steadily developed,” Han said in a statement issued by his office.
He also convened Cabinet and National Security Council meetings, directing military readiness to prevent provocations from North Korea and borrowing of ministers from mitigation of economic consequences from political turmoil.
The The Democratic Party, which was a fierce critic of Mr. Yoona administration, emphasized the need for a quick resolution of the impeachment case, calling on the Constitutional Court to speed up its review. The court has up to 180 days to decide whether to remove Mr. Yoon from office or reinstate him.
“A quick decision is the only way to minimize national confusion and people’s suffering,” Mr Lee said during a televised address, proposing a further cooperative council between the government and parliament to stabilize state affairs during the transition period.
The vote to impeach Mr. Yoon followed his own unprecedented deployment of troops and the police to block a parliamentary session with the aim of overturning his decree on the state of emergency. The measure that marked the first pronouncement state of emergency for more than four decades, it has been widely condemned as unconstitutional. South Korean law allows martial law only during times of war or similar dire emergencies, and opposition lawmakers have accused Yoon of trying to illegally suppress parliamentary functions.
Mr. Yoon, who denied the perpetratorshe described the emergency declaration as a warning to what he called “anti-state forces” within the Democratic Party. “I will fight to the end,” he said in a defiant statement.
However, his actions led to a significantt political reactions, with key allies arrestedincluding his defense minister and police chief. Investigations into possible sedition charges are ongoing, and Yoon, while still immune from most prosecutions as president, faces potential treason charges. He is forbidden to leave the country.
Economic problems exacerbated the crisis. South Korea’s central bank vowed on Sunday to intervene decisively to stabilize financial markets, acknowledging increased vulnerability in the current global economic climate. The Bank of Korea warned that this recall period posed greater risks than previous ones, given external uncertainties such as increased global competition and challenges in key industries.
The announcement followed a week of volatility in markets, triggered by Mr Yoon’s declaration of a state of emergency and subsequent impeachment.
Khan’s appointment as acting president was met with cautious optimism by the international public. Philip Turner, New Zealand’s former ambassador to South Korea, pointed out that Han’s experience and reputation provide some reassurance to the country’s allies. “He is capable, experienced and respected in foreign capitals,” Turner said, adding that while South Korea’s professional bureaucracy is expected to maintain foreign policy continuity, the lack of a permanent leader could create difficulties in providing clear direction.
Mr Lee, the leader of the Democratic Party who has emerged as the favorite to replace Mr Yoon should the court rule against the president, called for an investigation into all individuals and institutions involved in the state of emergency decision. “The special prosecutor’s independent investigation must begin without delay,” Mr. Lee argued, referring to a recent parliamentary motion authorizing such an investigation.
As the Constitutional Court prepares to deliberate, South Korea faces months of uncertainty. If Mr. Yoon is removed, a presidential election must be held within 60 days. Meanwhile, the acting president is tasked with guiding the nation through this volatile period, maintaining critical alliances and managing economic challenges. International partners are closely monitoring the situation, and Mr. Biden and other leaders are reaffirming their commitment to the US-South Korea alliance as a cornerstone of regional stability.
While the Democratic Party has tempered its impeachment drive, citing the need for national stability, its leaders remain focused on resolving the crisis and restoring confidence in the government.
“The National Assembly and the government will work together to quickly resolve the crisis that has gripped the Republic of Korea,” Mr Lee said. However, the opposition in Yoon’s People Power Party accused Mr Lee of overstepping his authority in matters of state, setting the stage for further political tensions in the coming weeks.
Additional agency reporting