Members of South Korea’s opposition, which controls the National Assembly, have submitted a motion to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol following his controversial decision to impose martial law.
If President Yoon resigns or is removed from office, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo will assume presidential duties in accordance with the constitution.
Mr. Yoon, a conservative, assumed the presidency after a narrow victory in the 2022 election and appointed Mr. Han as prime minister that same year. This marks Mr. Han’s second tenure in the role; he previously served under President Roh Moo-hyun from April 2007 to February 2008.
Mr. Han began his career as a civil servant in the early 1970s, focusing on trade and industrial policy for several decades. He earned a doctorate in economics from Harvard in 1984 and served as South Korea’s ambassador to the United States from 2009 to 2012.
Throughout his presidency, Mr. Yoon has faced a contentious relationship with the opposition, primarily led by the progressive Democratic Party. Following a significant defeat of his People Power Party in the parliamentary elections in April, Mr. Yoon's position has become increasingly precarious.
The Democratic Party has indicated that it will initiate impeachment proceedings if Mr. Yoon does not resign immediately. A president can be impeached if two-thirds of the 300-member legislature votes in favor of the motion.
In the event of impeachment, Mr. Han would serve as acting president until the proceedings are concluded, although the duration of his interim role remains uncertain.
According to South Korean law, once the National Assembly impeaches the president, the case may be referred to the Constitutional Court. If the court upholds the impeachment, the president would be removed from office.
If President Yoon is ousted or resigns, a successor must be elected within 60 days.