South Korean opposition lawmakers warned on March 28 that they would initiate impeachment proceedings against acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo if he does not appoint Ma Eun-hyeok to the Constitutional Court by March 30.
First-term legislators from the main opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) said they would also seek to impeach any cabinet minister who assumes Han’s acting presidential role if Ma’s appointment is further delayed.
The threat comes amid concerns within the DPK that the Constitutional Court may reject the impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol. The party, which nominated Ma as a candidate, is pushing for his immediate appointment to strengthen its influence over the court.
A group of first-term DPK lawmakers, known as “The Mincho,” held a press conference vowing to use “all parliamentary powers” to protect the country. “If Ma is not appointed by Sunday, we will immediately begin impeachment proceedings against Han,” they said.
If Han fails to act by the deadline, the lawmakers plan to submit an impeachment motion on March 31 and put it to a vote on April 1. They have asked National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik to convene plenary sessions on those days to process the motion.
The lawmakers also warned that any cabinet minister who replaces Han must appoint Ma immediately or face impeachment. “We will not hesitate to impeach them,” they said, signaling an aggressive push to force the appointment.
Political analysts see the move as an attempt to secure Ma’s participation in Yoon’s impeachment trial and ensure the six votes needed to remove the president. The court, which has been deliberating with eight justices, is reportedly split 5-3 in favor of impeachment.
On March 28, Speaker Woo filed a competence dispute petition with the Constitutional Court against Han to compel Ma’s appointment and requested an injunction to grant Ma temporary judicial status.
The DPK had initially been cautious about attempting Han’s impeachment again, wary of public backlash amid economic concerns and crisis management efforts, including recent wildfires in Gyeongsang Province. However, growing uncertainty over the impeachment trial’s outcome has prompted the party to escalate its efforts.
Hwang Un-ha, floor leader of the minor opposition Rebuilding Korea Party, which holds 12 parliamentary seats, joined the DPK lawmakers at the press conference, reinforcing the opposition bloc’s stance.
The Constitutional Court began hearing Yoon’s impeachment case in December 2024, with DPK lawmakers initially confident of a unanimous ruling in their favor by late February or early March. However, after oral arguments concluded on February 25, the court has yet to set a ruling date, raising concerns that the justices may not have the six votes required for impeachment.
Sources suggest that three conservative-leaning justices—Cheong Hyung-sik, Kim Bok-hyeong, and Cho Han-chang—oppose impeachment, potentially leading to a dismissal or rejection of the case.
With the retirement of two liberal justices—Moon Hyung-bae and Lee Mi-son—on April 18, the DPK fears a delayed ruling could weaken its chances of removing Yoon. To counter this, the party has proposed amending the Constitutional Court Act to allow justices to remain on the bench until their replacements are appointed, ensuring Moon and Lee can participate in Yoon’s case.
The DPK’s impeachment threats have raised concerns that the party aims to paralyze the cabinet to push through legislative changes, including special investigations and court reforms.
Under South Korean law, the cabinet requires a quorum of at least 11 members to convene, and decisions need a two-thirds majority of those present. If the DPK impeaches Han and other key ministers, the cabinet’s ability to function could be severely compromised, potentially obstructing government actions, including presidential vetoes.
“The DPK appears to be leveraging Ma’s appointment as a political weapon,” a government official said. “They are essentially holding the cabinet hostage to influence the Constitutional Court.”
Some legal experts have criticized the opposition’s strategy. “Impeaching ministers to shut down the government is a form of legislative dictatorship,” said Kim Young-soo, a professor at Yeungnam University. Hwang Do-soo, a constitutional law professor at Konkuk University, noted that the Constitutional Court has not ruled on the timing of Ma’s appointment, adding, “The DPK’s actions suggest they are prioritizing political interests over legal principles.”
