Ruling and Opposition Parties See Different Implications
Han's Dismissal Ruling Seen as Favorable for Yoon's Impeachment Trial
The ruling and opposition parties were on high alert regarding the impact on the political situation after the Constitutional Court dismissed the impeachment motion against Prime Minister Han Deok-su on the 24th. The reactions of the two sides were mixed. The ruling People Power Party unanimously welcomed the decision, emphasizing the restoration of the rule of law. On the other hand, opposition parties such as the Democratic Party downplayed the political significance, stating that it was a separate issue from President Yoon Seok-yeol's impeachment trial.
Kwon Young-se, the emergency committee chairman of the People Power Party, held a press conference immediately after the dismissal of Prime Minister Han's impeachment, saying, "As we all expected, the Constitutional Court dismissed the impeachment trial against Prime Minister Han," and evaluated it as "a stern warning from the judiciary against the reckless legislative violence of the major opposition party." Kwon Seong-dong, the floor leader, also urged, "Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the Democratic Party, should apologize to the people for paralyzing the government for 87 days with a hasty impeachment solely for his own political purposes, even though he clearly knew it would be dismissed."
Kwon Young-se, Emergency Response Committee Chairman of the People Power Party, and Kwon Seong-dong, Floor Leader, are moving at the National Assembly on the 24th for a press conference related to the dismissal of Prime Minister Han Duck-soo's impeachment. 2025.3.24 Photo by Kim Hyun-min
Ruling party politicians also lent their support. Former Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Won Hee-ryong said, "The National Assembly must no longer become a playground for ruffians who engage in government paralysis tyranny." Daegu Mayor Hong Joon-pyo also called for "the swift dismissal of President Yoon's impeachment trial as well."
They also urged Prime Minister Han, who returned to his duties, to respond to economic and diplomatic issues with the United States. Earlier, Chairman Kwon said at the emergency committee meeting that day, "There is a significant concern among the public and the business community due to the diplomatic vacuum with the U.S.," adding, "I hope he will carefully manage the current status of diplomacy, security, and the economy."
Meanwhile, the Democratic Party analyzed the Constitutional Court's dismissal decision on Prime Minister Han and reviewed their response measures. Park Chan-dae, the floor leader, said at an on-site supreme council meeting held in Gwanghwamun, "Only the traitor Yoon Seok-yeol remains. I hope the Constitutional Court will schedule the verdict on President Yoon's impeachment trial immediately and prove that it is the highest institution for upholding the constitution by delivering a dismissal verdict tomorrow." Han Min-soo, the Democratic Party spokesperson, said after a closed supreme council meeting at the National Assembly that day, "The party will mobilize an all-out response system aiming for the verdict on President Yoon's impeachment trial," and "We will continue emergency actions until President Yoon's impeachment."
Park Ji-won, a member of the same party, responded to the Democratic Party's impeachment responsibility theory following the dismissal of Prime Minister Han's impeachment, saying, "I don't think so. (Prime Minister Han's impeachment and) President Yoon's impeachment are separate," and argued, "President Yoon's impeachment should proceed quickly so that the country can move toward the future." Three-term Democratic Party lawmakers also held a press conference that day, stating, "If not dismissal, South Korea will go bankrupt. The Constitutional Court should immediately dismiss Yoon Seok-yeol."
Ruling and Opposition Parties, Different Dreams... Han Prime Minister's Dismissal Ruling Favors Yoon's Impeachment Trial
The ruling and opposition parties each claimed that the Constitutional Court's decision would favor President Yoon's impeachment trial, albeit for different reasons. A senior member of the People Power Party told Asia Economy, "The Democratic Party impeached Prime Minister Han for aiding and abetting rebellion and for the Constitutional Court justice appointments issue when he was acting president," emphasizing, "Since the Democratic Party's impeachment of Acting Prime Minister Han and President Yoon's impeachment were based on similar logic, it could influence President Yoon's impeachment trial as well."
On the other hand, a first-term Democratic Party lawmaker said, "It can be interpreted that the Constitutional Court dismissed Prime Minister Han's impeachment before President Yoon's impeachment trial to maintain political balance," and argued, "The Constitutional Court should promptly decide to accept President Yoon's impeachment." Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon also wrote on his Facebook, "I believe the Constitutional Court's dismissal of Han Deok-su's impeachment is a preliminary measure for political stability ahead of accepting Yoon Seok-yeol's impeachment."
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Han was impeached by the National Assembly on December 27 last year while serving as acting president. With the Constitutional Court's dismissal ruling that day, Prime Minister Han immediately returned to his duties and resumed his role as acting president.
Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party of Korea, and Park Chan-dae, floor leader, along with other top committee members, are holding a top committee meeting at the tent office set up in Gwanghwamun, Seoul on the 24th. 2025. 03. 24 Photo by Yoon Dong-joo
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