Seoul, 24 March 2025 (dpa/MIA) - South Korea's Constitutional Court on Monday dismissed the impeachment of Prime Minister Han Duck Soo, reinstating him as acting president amid the ongoing turmoil in the country.

Han, 75, will resume office and take over the official duties of suspended president Yoon Suk Yeol.

The ruling comes three months after the National Assembly voted to impeach Han, who was also serving as acting president, citing among other things his alleged involvement in Yoon's short-lived declaration of martial law on December 3. Han has denied the allegations.

Yoon's declaration of martial law was seen as an attempt to crack down on his political opponents. It was short-lived but plunged South Korea into political turmoil.

At the time, Yoon claimed the opposition had been infiltrated by communist forces, although no evidence has supported this accusation.

The Constitutional Court is expected to rule soon on Yoon's impeachment case. If Yoon's impeachment is upheld, new elections would be required within 60 days. If not, Yoon would return to office.

While the judges are expected to issue their verdict as early as this week, no official date has been set.

The political crisis has severely damaged South Korea's reputation internationally and stalled the country's economic growth.

Photo: EPA