On Monday, South Korea's Prime Minister Han Duck-soo was reinstated as acting president, almost three months after being impeached.
The 75-year-old became acting president on 14 December after President Yoon Suk Yeol, 64, was
Two weeks later, Han himself was impeached and his powers were suspended after he was accused of aiding Yoon in the martial law declaration.
He denied the accusation but accepted some responsibility for the ensuing crisis by failing to dissuade Yoon from making the surprise move.
On Monday, South Korea's constitutional court overturned his impeachment, restoring his powers to serve as leader while the country awaits the same court's ruling on Yoon's impeachment.
"I am grateful for the wise decision made by the constitutional court," Han said after the ruling, thanking members of the cabinet for their hard work while he was suspended.
"We will work together to prepare and implement responses to global changes, and to ensure that South Korea continues to develop well in the era of great geopolitical transformation."
Here's what you need to know.
Who is Han Duck-soo?
Han is known as a seasoned economic, trade and foreign affairs specialist. He is a technocrat whose experience and reputation helped him serve in senior posts under five presidents.
In a country sharply divided by partisan rhetoric, Han has been a rare example of an official who has sought to stay out of the political fray.
"It is my life's honour that I have been able to serve the people with all my might," Han said after parliament voted to impeach him.
When he stepped into the acting presidency, he faced the challenge of keeping government functioning through its gravest political crisis in four decades, while also tackling threats from , and a slowing economy at home.
It's the same daunting responsibility he returns to but with heightened external pressure on the export-reliant economy under the for its products to the US under the second Donald Trump presidency.
According to a South Korean government website, the country's president is its head of state, head of its armed forces, and chief administrator, policy maker and lawmaker. The president is authorised to appoint public officials, including the prime minister, as well as heads of executive agencies.
South Korea's prime minister is appointed by the president and supervises the administrative ministries under the direction of the president.
The prime minister can also deliberate major national policies.
What political roles has Han Duck-soo held?
Han has served in leadership positions for more than three decades under five presidents, both conservative and liberal.
His roles have ranged from prime minister, finance minister and trade minister to presidential secretary for policy coordination, besides being ambassador to the United States and the OECD and heading up think tanks and organisations.
With a Harvard doctorate in economics, Han's expertise in the economy, trade and diplomacy as well as a reputation for rationality, a moderate demeanour and hard work had made him a regular go-to man in South Korean politics.
Han has been South Korea's prime minister since Yoon's term began in 2022, his second time in the role after a stint under former president Roh Moo-hyun in 2007-2008.
"He has served in key posts in state affairs solely through recognition of his skills and expertise, unrelated to political factions," Yoon said when appointing Han in 2022, echoing descriptions used when previous administrations tapped him.
Yoon Suk Yeol was suspended from presidential duties after an impeachment vote on 14 December. Source: AFP / South Korean Presidential Office
Fluent in English, he was appointed South Korea's ambassador to the United States in 2009, working in Washington at a time when former US President Joe Biden was vice president, and contributed to Congress approving the free trade deal in 2011.
"He is a civil servant through and through, who didn't take on a political colour despite working under (five presidents)," said a former high-ranking government official speaking on condition of anonymity.
What happens next for South Korea's government?
Han's acting presidency had been expected to last for months. Now the role is likely to be brief, until the constitutional court delivers its ruling on whether to remove Yoon or restore his powers. The ruling is expected within days.
If Yoon is removed, a presidential election must be held in 60 days. South Korea's constitution does not say how much the acting president is empowered to do in the role.
