Han, a long-time technocrat appointed by Yoon as prime minister, was promoted to acting president under the constitution as Yoon’s case goes to the Constitutional Court. South Korea’s acting president, Han Duck-soo, took to social media on Sunday to reassure the country’s allies and calm financial markets a day after President Yoon Suk Yeol was impeached and suspended from his duties over a martial law attempt. Han spoke over the telephone with U.S. President Joe Biden, the White House, and Han’s office added.
“South Korea will implement its foreign and security policies without disruption and make efforts to maintain the steady development of the South Korea-U.S. alliance, Han said, quoted by his office’s statement.
The main opposition party said it would not attempt to impeach Han for his role in Yoon’s Dec. 3 martial law decision in an effort to stabilize the country’s leadership.
“Given that the prime minister has already been confirmed as acting president and considering that excessive impeachments could lead to confusion in national governance, we have decided not to proceed with impeachment procedures,” Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-Myung told reporters.
Han, a long-time technocrat picked by Yoon as prime minister, was elevated to acting president by the constitution while Yoon’s case moved to the Constitutional Court.
