South Korean lawmakers have impeached Acting President Han Duck-soo in a dramatic escalation of the country’s political crisis, which has been roiled by the martial law declaration of his predecessor, President Yoon Suk Yeol.
On Friday, the National Assembly passed the impeachment motion against Han, who had assumed office following Yoon’s suspension over his controversial decision to impose martial law on December 3. The impeachment motion passed unanimously, with all 192 lawmakers voting in favor.
National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik confirmed the outcome of the vote, stating, “I announce that Prime Minister Han Duck-soo’s impeachment motion has passed,” despite protests from ruling People’s Power Party (PPP) lawmakers. The PPP members, who objected to the vote, chanted in parliament and demanded Woo’s resignation, resulting in a delay in the counting process. However, they did not participate in the final vote.
This impeachment marks the second such action against a South Korean head of state in just two weeks, highlighting the ongoing instability in the nation’s political landscape. It also marks the first impeachment of an acting president in the country’s history.
The opposition parties, which pushed for Han’s impeachment, accused him of obstructing the investigation into the martial law declaration and of refusing to approve three necessary appointments to the Constitutional Court. The opposition argued that Han’s actions violated the public official’s duty to uphold the law and serve the people.
In a statement after the vote, Han expressed respect for the parliament’s decision but indicated that he would await the Constitutional Court’s ruling on whether the impeachment would stand. He has faced criticism for refusing to appoint three new Constitutional Court judges, which has led to a deadlock in the country’s judicial system.
Following Han’s impeachment, Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok will step in as the new acting president. Choi had warned earlier that the political instability created by the impeachment motion could severely affect the country’s economy and citizens, who are already facing a national emergency.
The dispute centers around the composition of the Constitutional Court, which will ultimately decide whether the impeachments of both Yoon and Han are valid. The court currently has only six active judges, and a single dissenting vote could reinstate Yoon as president.
Han’s refusal to appoint new judges has been a critical point of contention, with opposition lawmakers accusing him of undermining the Constitution. “His refusal to act on the judges’ appointments revealed his true colours,” said Democratic Party lawmaker Jo Seoung-lae, emphasizing the need for constitutional order to restore stability in the country.
The political uncertainty has had tangible economic impacts. The South Korean won dropped to its lowest level in nearly 16 years, reflecting growing investor concerns amid the ongoing political turmoil.
As the Constitutional Court begins preliminary hearings on the validity of Yoon’s impeachment, South Korea faces a tense period of legal and political battles that will likely shape the country’s future governance.
