Ruling on Prime Minister's Impeachment to be Announced by South Korean Constitutional Court Next Monday

Synopsis

The South Korean Constitutional Court will announce its ruling on Prime Minister Han Duck-soo's impeachment next Monday, three months after his impeachment by the National Assembly. The outcome could either lead to his removal or reinstatement, depending on the court's decision.

Key Takeaways

The ruling on PM Han's impeachment will be announced on Monday.
A minimum of six justices is needed to uphold the impeachment.
Han is accused of involvement in martial law and other allegations.
If impeached, he will be removed; if dismissed, he will return to office.
A snap presidential election may follow if President Yoon is ousted.

Seoul, March 20 (NationPress) The Constitutional Court of South Korea announced on Thursday that it is set to issue its ruling regarding the impeachment of Prime Minister Han Duck-soo due to allegations related to martial law next week.

The decision will be revealed at 10 a.m. on Monday, as stated in a press notice, three months after the National Assembly impeached him based on a series of claims tied to President Yoon Suk Yeol's unsuccessful attempt to impose martial law back in December.

Should the impeachment be upheld, Han will be removed from his position; if dismissed, he will be reinstated.

According to the Constitution, a minimum of six justices must agree to uphold the impeachment. Presently, the bench consists of eight justices.

The impeachment motion against Han cites five reasons, including alleged participation in enforcing martial law, refusal to appoint additional justices to the Constitutional Court, and his reluctance to promulgate two special counsel bills directed at Yoon and First Lady Kim Keon Hee, as reported by Yonhap news agency.

Han has rejected any allegations of wrongdoing, asserting that he opposed the enforcement of martial law and was not involved in the troop deployment to the National Assembly while the decree was active.

The Constitutional Court has not yet disclosed the date for its ruling regarding Yoon's impeachment related to the martial law attempt.

Earlier that day, two opposition lawmakers were targeted with raw eggs during an outdoor press conference advocating for the ousting of impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol.

Members of the main opposition Democratic Party (DP) held the press conference outside the Constitutional Court when the eggs were thrown from the street, hitting Back Hye-ryun and Lee Geon-tae.

If Yoon is removed, South Korea will have to conduct a snap presidential election within 60 days. If he is reinstated, he will continue to serve until May 2027.