Handuksoo to Convene Cabinet Meeting... Tenth Acting President in Constitutional History

Transition to Acting Authority System After Delivery of Resolution

The impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk-yeol has been passed. Han Duck-soo, the Prime Minister and the 'first in line for acting authority,' plans to hold an emergency Cabinet meeting and begin stabilizing state affairs. This marks the tenth time since the establishment of the government that an acting presidential authority has been appointed.

On the afternoon of the 14th, immediately after the impeachment motion was passed, Prime Minister Han commuted from the Prime Minister's residence in Samcheong-dong to the Government Seoul Office. Meeting with reporters in front of the office, he said, "My heart is very heavy," and added, "During this difficult time, I will devote all my strength and effort solely to operating the government stably." When asked whether he would exercise veto power over the 'Four Agricultural Acts' as the ruling party claims, he replied, "I will see you soon," and left the scene.

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo is arriving at the Government Seoul Office in Jongno-gu, Seoul on the 12th. Photo by Jo Yong-jun

Immediately after the transition to the acting authority system, Prime Minister Han plans to convene an emergency Cabinet meeting at the Government Seoul Office. According to the National Assembly Act, even after the impeachment motion is passed in the National Assembly, the resolution must be delivered to the impeached President Yoon for his duties to be suspended and for the acting authority system to begin.

It is expected that Prime Minister Han's first task as acting president will be to gather the Cabinet and urge stability in state affairs. He plans to review major issues of each ministry and ask them to focus on government operations without wavering despite the difficult political situation.

Earlier, Prime Minister Han reportedly made phone calls to ministers and acting officials responsible for diplomacy, defense, and public security, as well as the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, to issue urgent instructions regarding security and public safety.

Additionally, he plans to deliver a public address at the Government Seoul Office.