Political Storm in South Korea: Han Duck-soo on Probation

Amid a politically turbulent phase, South Korea's acting President Han Duck-soo has promised to "allow no gaps in state affairs" to reassure both investors and international partners. This follows the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol by the national parliament. The challenges facing the seasoned technocrat Han are considerable: he must steer Asia's fourth-largest economy through one of its toughest political crises since the 1980s. The tense geopolitical context, marked by North Korea's advancements in its nuclear program and the return of Donald Trump to the White House, underscores the urgency of a stable government. Han, known as an economic expert with diplomatic experience in the USA and the OECD, has effectively assumed the duties of the president while South Korea's Constitutional Court decides Yoon's fate. In a telephone conversation with US President Joe Biden, Han assured that South Korea's diplomacy continues uninterrupted, while the country's central bank announced measures to stabilize the markets. Despite his impressive career, Han lacks a political base of his own, which is likely alarmingly apparent to him in the current situation. The opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) has indicated it does not intend to oust Han immediately but demands political neutrality. Any departure from Yoon's program could upset the conservative base, which views Yoon's suspension as a "temporary pause." The point of political tension is highlighted by the fact that Han faces potential investigations over Yoon's attempt to impose martial law. The DPK leader and potential presidential candidate Lee Jae-myung, who is due to stand trial next year, is increasing pressure on Han. In this environment, Han may be forced to support DPK nominations for the Constitutional Court while the investigation into Yoon continues. The future of South Korea, both domestically and in international relations, could heavily depend on how Han meets this challenge. With the potential risk of a conservative counteroffensive and ongoing tensions within South Korea's political landscape, it remains to be seen whether Han Duck-soo can strike the right balance between neutrality and governance.