{"id":2207535,"date":"2024-12-16T08:00:13","date_gmt":"2024-12-15T23:00:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/?p=2207535"},"modified":"2024-12-16T00:04:41","modified_gmt":"2024-12-15T15:04:41","slug":"acting-president-caught-in-crossfire-between-opposition-and-ruling-parties","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2024\/12\/acting-president-caught-in-crossfire-between-opposition-and-ruling-parties\/","title":{"rendered":"Acting President caught in crossfire between opposition and ruling parties"},"content":{"rendered":"
Acting President Han Duck-soo held talks with U.S. President <\/span>Joe Biden<\/span><\/a> and General <\/span>Paul J. LaCamera<\/span><\/a> on Sunday, pledging to maintain the U.S.-ROK alliance and reinforce joint defenses against North Korea. Biden reaffirmed the alliance as \u201cironclad,\u201d while LaCamera promised continued military readiness and joint exercises.<\/span><\/p>\n Han met National Assembly Speaker <\/span>Woo Won-shik<\/span><\/a> later in the day to push for cooperation in stabilizing state affairs after President Yoon Suk-yeol\u2019s <\/span>impeachment<\/span><\/a>. Both discussed creating a consultative body \u200b\u200bcomprising representatives from the ruling party, the opposition and the government to address urgent economic and political challenges.<\/span><\/p>\n WHY IT MATTERS<\/b><\/p>\n Han is in a precarious position. Democratic Party (DP) leader Lee Jae-myung issued a veiled threat on Sunday, <\/span>stating<\/span><\/a> his party would not pursue Han\u2019s impeachment \u201cfor now\u201d but demanded the acting president remain politically \u201cneutral\u201d while exercising his powers.<\/span><\/p>\n The DP will likely push for another special investigation into first lady Kim Keon-hee, a move Yoon repeatedly vetoed. The most recent attempt <\/span>failed<\/span><\/a> on Dec. 7, with only 198 lawmakers voting in favor \u2014 two votes shy of overriding Yoon\u2019s veto. If Han blocks a similar bill, the DP could escalate its challenge by citing his role in the <\/span>Dec. 3 Cabinet meeting<\/span><\/a> before Yoon\u2019s martial law declaration.<\/span><\/p>\n Han also faces pressure from the ruling People Power Party (PPP) to uphold its agenda. PPP floor leader Kwon Seong-dong <\/span>dismissed<\/span><\/a> calls for a ruling-opposition-government consultative body, asserting the PPP\u2019s authority as the ruling party and its intention to work directly with the government.<\/span><\/p>\n