South Korea’s highest court reinstated prime minister suspended amid controversy surrounding enforcement of martial law .

South Korea’s Constitutional Court annulled the impeachment of Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, reinstating his authority amid a protracted political crisis that began when President Yoon Suk Yeol imposed martial law late last year.

This ruling arrives as the court prepares to deliberate on the ‘potential impeachment ‘ of Yoon, whose brief suspension of civilian legal processes disrupted political activities and deployed military forces into the heart of the nation, creating significant instability in the country. 

Yoon’s suspension by lawmakers on December 14, Han briefly served as acting president, but his tenure was cut short when the opposition Democratic Party filed an impeachment motion against him, citing his failure to fill three vacant seats on the Constitutional Court as a violation of constitutional duties and a threat to the rule of law. 

The party also accused him of complicity in the martial law declaration and obstructing a special investigation into first lady Kim Keon-hee. Ultimately, only one of the eight judges supported the impeachment motion, with the court saying that there was insufficient evidence to suggest Han had attempted to undermine the constitution.

Han has been restored to his role as acting president while Yoon’s impeachment case remains unresolved. Following the ruling, the 75-year-old Han expressed his approval of the court’s decision, which he deemed “wise.” The court’s upcoming decision on Yoon’s martial law declaration, made during an unannounced television address where he accused the opposition of aligning with North Korea, is still pending.

Yoon referenced a motion from the Democratic Party, which holds a majority in the legislature, aimed at impeaching senior prosecutors and dismissing a government budget proposal. 

However, within a mere six hours, he had to retreat as lawmakers breached security measures and entered parliament to unanimously overturn the decree. During his trial at the Constitutional Court last month, Han refuted allegations of conspiring with Yoon to impose martial law, asserting that he attempted to dissuade Yoon during the brief Cabinet meeting that occurred just prior to the announcement of martial law.