Impeached South Korean PM As Acting President Reinstated

South Korea’s Constitutional Court has reinstated Prime Minister Han Duck-soo as acting president, reversing his impeachment three months ago.

Han was impeached on December 27, barely two weeks into office, after the parliament sanctioned him for refusing to appoint three more justices to the Constitutional Court.

The justices on Monday ruled seven to one to cancel the impeachment. Five justices argued that there were insufficient grounds for Han’s removal, as he did not violate the constitution.

Two justices ruled that the impeachment motion against him was invalid because two-thirds of lawmakers in parliament did not pass it. One justice voted to impeach Han.

Han, who assumed the position of acting president after President Yoon Suk Yeol was impeached for imposing the short-lived martial law, has returned to office.

The leader praised the court for its “wise decision,” saying, “The people are making it very clear, in one voice, that the extreme confrontation in politics must stop.”

Han promised to do his best “to maintain stable state administration and devote all wisdom and capabilities to safeguarding national interests in the trade war.”