South Korean opposition threatens to impeach Han over martial law counsel

South Korea’s main opposition party threatens to impeach acting president Han Duck-soo if he fails to approve legislation to launch a special counsel investigation into President Yoon Suk Yeol’s failed bid to impose martial law.

Prime Minister Han has taken over from the suspended Yoon, who was impeached on Dec. 14 and faces a Constitutional Court review on whether to oust him.

With a majority in parliament, the opposition Democratic Party (DP) passed a bill this month to appoint a special counsel to pursue charges of insurrection, among others, against the conservative Yoon and to investigate his wife over a luxury bag scandal and other allegations.

The party, which has accused Han of aiding Yoon’s martial law attempt and reported him to police, says it will “immediately initiate impeachment proceedings” against the acting president if the legislation is not promulgated by Tuesday.

Han is a technocrat who has held leadership roles in South Korean politics for 30 years under conservative and liberal presidents. Yoon appointed him prime minister in 2022.

“The delays show that the prime minister has no intention of complying with the constitution, and it is tantamount to admitting that he is acting as a proxy for the insurgent,” Democratic Party floor leader Park Chan-dae tells a party meeting, referring to Yoon.