Seoul, Mar 25 (V7N) – South Korea's Constitutional Court reinstated Prime Minister Han Duck-soo as acting president on Monday, overturning his impeachment and restoring him to power immediately. The court’s decision comes after months of political turmoil in the country, which began with the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol over his declaration of martial law in December.

Han, who had been suspended after his impeachment in December, thanked the court for its "wise decision" and pledged to focus on stabilizing the country during the ongoing challenges posed by the U.S. trade tensions. "As acting president, I will do my best to maintain stable state administration and safeguard national interests in the trade war," Han said in a televised address.

South Korea, one of the world’s top exporters, has been preparing for the potential impacts of tariffs from the U.S. Under President Donald Trump, South Korea has already faced tariffs on steel and aluminum and is seeking an exemption from upcoming U.S. tariffs. Trump has also criticized South Korea for imposing high tariffs on U.S. exports.

Han, 75, has served in leadership positions under five previous presidents and is known for bridging political divides. However, he faced criticism from the opposition-led parliament for not doing enough to prevent Yoon's martial law declaration, an accusation he denied.

Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok had served as acting president while Han’s and Yoon’s cases were before the Constitutional Court.

The court’s decision to reinstate Han comes as the opposition Democratic Party calls for a swift ruling on Yoon’s impeachment, with a decision expected in the coming days. Yoon also faces a criminal trial over his declaration of martial law, and if he is removed from office, a new presidential election will be held within 60 days.

South Korea has experienced massive rallies both in support of Yoon and calling for his removal in recent months, with widespread political divisions continuing to shape the country's future.

The martial law imposed in December lasted only six hours after lawmakers rejected the declaration, but the political fallout has continued to reverberate across the nation, raising concerns among international allies like the U.S.

END/WD/SMA/