Acting President Han: "Respecting National Assembly's Decision... Will Suspend Duties and Await Constitutional Court's Decision"

Statement Released Immediately After Impeachment Proposal Passed by National Assembly

Acting President Han Duck-soo stated on the 27th that he respects the National Assembly's decision to pass the impeachment proposal against him, and declared, "To prevent further confusion and uncertainty, I will suspend my duties in accordance with the relevant laws and await the swift and wise decision of the Constitutional Court."

In a statement titled 'Message to the People' released immediately after the National Assembly vote, Acting President Han expressed regret that the opposition responded with the 29th impeachment proposal of this administration instead of reasonable counterarguments to his call for bipartisan agreement. He stated, "I find it unfortunate for the next generation of this country, beyond my personal situation." He further emphasized, "I urge all ministers and public officials in every department to remain calm and carry out their duties unwaveringly."

Regarding the main reason for the impeachment, the delay in appointing Constitutional Court judges, Acting President Han reiterated, "Bipartisan agreement is absolutely necessary." He stated, "I believe that to appoint Constitutional Court judges, which surpasses historical precedents, political wisdom that fills the gaps not covered by laws and systems, in other words, the agreement of the representatives of the people, the ruling and opposition parties, is absolutely necessary."

He explained, "The suggestion to 'just appoint since the ruling and opposition parties can't agree' is a call to break historical precedents and to make it a fact that discussion and agreement are no longer possible in our political culture. After deep consideration, I found it difficult to accept this conclusion."

Acting President Han countered, "Some ask why I exercise veto power but refuse to appoint Constitutional Court judges, but unfortunately, I find it difficult to agree with such statements." He continued, "In the past, Acting President and Prime Minister Goh Kun requested the National Assembly to reconsider bills with significant unconstitutional elements and potential side effects, and the National Assembly accepted this. In our constitutional history, there has not been a single Constitutional Court judge appointed without bipartisan agreement. This is because the authority and responsibility are that significant."

The impeachment proposal against Acting President Han was passed with 192 votes in favor out of 192 attendees in the National Assembly session with a total of 300 members. It is the first time in constitutional history that a Prime Minister acting as President has been impeached and suspended from duties.

Regarding the controversial quorum for the impeachment resolution, National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-sik clarified that it is 'a majority of the total members (151 seats)' for the Prime Minister's impeachment, not 'two-thirds of the total members (200 seats)' as for the President's impeachment. Most members of the People Power Party boycotted the vote in protest.

Reporter Yang Gil-seong vertigo@hankyung.com