The main opposition Democratic Party of Korea announced on Dec. 9 that it is preparing an impeachment motion against Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, recently named a key figure in a proposed special investigation into alleged acts of treason.
Speaking after a Supreme Council meeting at the National Assembly, Democratic Party spokesperson Hwang Jung-a told reporters that work on the impeachment motion is “currently underway.” She added that a decision on whether to submit the motion to a plenary session “will soon be made,” hinting that a conclusion could come “within a day or two.”
Hwang described Han as “a central figure in the treason case” who must be investigated. She emphasized that even if Han were to serve as acting president, “clear evidence of unconstitutional or unlawful actions would warrant impeachment.” While asserting that the grounds for Han’s impeachment are “more than sufficient,” she noted that the timeline for moving forward is still being considered. “This week is focused on President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment,” she said, adding that the two motions might be pursued at separate times.
On the same day, the Democratic Party submitted a bill calling for a special investigation into allegations of a martial law declaration by President Yoon Suk Yeol’s administration. The bill names Han as a target of the investigation, alleging that he and other Cabinet members who attended a State Council meeting conspired in treason by deliberating an unconstitutional martial law declaration.
Hwang claimed that under the Martial Law Act, the prime minister is responsible for initiating a martial law declaration. “Han attended the State Council meeting where martial law was reviewed, which at the very least suggests he condoned this illegal action,” she said.
The ruling People Power Party (PPP) sharply criticized the Democratic Party’s actions, warning they could lead to a “paralysis of state governance.” Shin Ji-ho, director of the PPP’s strategic planning committee, said in an interview with a BBS radio program that impeaching Han would suspend his duties, leaving Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Choi Sang-mok to serve as acting prime minister. “The Democratic Party would likely move to impeach him as well, followed by the deputy prime minister for education, and so on. This chain of impeachments would inevitably lead to governmental paralysis,” Shin said.
Hwang dismissed these warnings, reaffirming that the party’s immediate priority is advancing the impeachment motion against President Yoon. She argued that impeachment is “the only solution to the ongoing economic instability,” underscoring the Democratic Party’s resolve to proceed.
