The National Assembly on Dec. 27 approved an impeachment motion against Acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, marking a historic first in South Korean politics. The motion passed during a plenary session with 192 lawmakers present and all voting in favor.
National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik set the quorum for the vote as a simple majority of all sitting lawmakers—151 votes—igniting a fierce debate between the ruling People Power Party (PPP) and opposition lawmakers over the required threshold for the motion. Woo’s decision to classify Han as a cabinet member, rather than as acting president, shaped the procedural guidelines.
“This impeachment motion concerns Prime Minister Han Duck-soo,” Woo said before the vote. “Under Article 65(2) of the Constitution, a majority of sitting lawmakers is required to pass the motion.” He stressed that the impeachment motion targets Han in his role as prime minister, not in his temporary capacity as acting president.
The PPP contended that since Han is exercising presidential authority, the impeachment threshold should align with that for a president—requiring the approval of two-thirds of all lawmakers, or 200 votes. Opposition parties, led by the Democratic Party of Korea (DPK), argued that Han lacks the official title of “acting president” and that the motion should follow the rules for cabinet ministers: a majority of lawmakers present and a majority of votes in favor.
“The Constitution requires a supermajority only for presidential impeachment,” Woo explained, noting that he had consulted constitutional scholars and the National Assembly Research Service before making his decision.
The ruling PPP erupted in protest, accusing Woo of abusing his authority and ignoring procedural fairness. Lawmakers gathered at the speaker’s podium, shouting slogans such as “Null and void!” and “Step down!” Some PPP lawmakers pointed at Woo, accusing him of enabling a “DPK dictatorship.” In response, some DPK lawmakers shouted back, calling for the “dissolution of the PPP.”
PPP Acting Leader Kweon Seong-dong condemned the vote, convening party lawmakers and staff for a protest in the National Assembly Rotunda Hall. “We denounce the DPK’s reckless and destructive impeachment crusade,” Kweon said. “The impeachment vote is invalid as it failed to meet the constitutional requirement of a two-thirds majority.”
The PPP announced plans to petition the Constitutional Court, seeking a jurisdictional dispute ruling and a suspension of the impeachment motion’s effect.
If the Constitutional Court takes up the case, it will have up to 180 days to decide whether to uphold or dismiss the impeachment. Until then, Han’s authority as prime minister and acting president will remain suspended.
