Seoul: South Korea’s main opposition party has escalated tensions by threatening to impeach acting president Han Duck-soo if he does not promptly enact a law to establish a special counsel investigation into President Yoon Suk Yeol’s failed attempt to impose martial law.
Han, who assumed the role of acting president after Yoon’s suspension following his impeachment on December 14, is under intense scrutiny. A Constitutional Court review is currently underway to decide on Yoon’s potential ousting. Meanwhile, with a strong parliamentary majority, the opposition Democratic Party passed a bill this month proposing the appointment of a special counsel to investigate charges of insurrection and other matters, including allegations surrounding Yoon’s wife and a luxury bag scandal.
The Democratic Party, which has accused Han of facilitating Yoon’s martial law attempt and filed a police report against him, is calling for the swift promulgation of the bill. Party members warned that if Han fails to sign the legislation by Tuesday, they will begin impeachment proceedings.
Democratic Party floor leader Park Chan-dae criticized Han for delays in the legislative process, claiming that the prime minister’s actions suggest a lack of commitment to the Constitution. Park referred to Han’s conduct as “tantamount to admitting he is acting as a proxy for the insurgent,” referring to Yoon’s actions.
Han, a seasoned technocrat with decades of experience under both conservative and liberal administrations, was appointed as prime minister by Yoon in 2022. Despite previous statements in which Han claimed to have attempted to block Yoon’s martial law proposal, he publicly apologized for his failure to prevent it.
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In addition to the call for Han’s impeachment, Park accused Yoon of obstructing the Constitutional Court’s proceedings by persistently refusing to accept court documents.
“Any delay in the investigation and impeachment trials is an extension of the insurrection and an act of plotting a second one,” Park said.
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Meanwhile, a joint investigative team involving police and the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials is preparing for a second attempt to summon Yoon for questioning on December 25. It remains uncertain whether Yoon will comply with the request.
The national police agency’s investigation chief, Woo Jong-soo, reported to parliament on Monday that police had attempted to raid Yoon’s office twice, but each time, the presidential security service denied them entry. Woo revealed that his team had submitted a request to preserve crucial evidence, including a secure phone server.
