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SEOUL, South Korea — The opposition parties in South Korea, which control the National Assembly, voted on Friday to remove Acting President Han Duck-soo from office. This action has heightened the country’s political turmoil following President Yoon Suk Yeol’s contentious declaration of martial law and subsequent impeachment, despite strong objections from ruling party lawmakers.

Han’s impeachment temporarily suspends his presidential authority and responsibilities until the Constitutional Court determines whether to dismiss or reinstate him. The court is already reviewing President Yoon’s earlier impeachment. Together, the impeachments of South Korea’s two top officials amplify the nation’s economic challenges, political instability, and international reputation.

The single-chamber National Assembly, comprising 300 members, passed Han’s impeachment resolution by a 192-0 vote. Lawmakers from the ruling People Power Party (PPP) abstained from the vote, instead gathering in front of Speaker Woo Won Shik’s podium, labeling the motion “illegal” and demanding Woo’s resignation. Although the protest was loud, it remained peaceful, with no reports of violence or injury.

Impeachment Procedure Dispute

Speaker Woo explained that most South Korean officials, including an acting president, can be removed with a simple majority vote. However, the PPP argued that Han should be subject to the two-thirds majority required to impeach a sitting president. This debate has been compounded by the absence of specific laws governing the impeachment of an acting president.

Han’s authority will be officially suspended once copies of the impeachment document are delivered to him and the Constitutional Court. In the interim, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok will assume presidential duties.

Political Background and Persistent Conflicts

Han, who had been appointed prime minister by President Yoon, assumed the role of acting president after Yoon was impeached by the National Assembly two weeks ago for his brief December 3 martial law decree. Shortly after, Han found himself in conflict with the Democratic Party, the liberal opposition, over key issues, including efforts to:

• Fill three vacant seats on the Constitutional Court.
• Conduct an independent investigation into Yoon’s martial law declaration.
• Enact pro-farmer legislation.

Central to the conflict is the Democratic Party’s push for Han to approve their nominations for three new justices to the Constitutional Court, restoring its full nine-member bench. This is a politically sensitive issue, as six justices must agree to remove Yoon from office, and the new appointments could increase the likelihood of his dismissal.

The PPP opposes these appointments, arguing that Han lacks the authority to make such decisions while Yoon’s impeachment is still unresolved.

The Democratic Party’s Response to Han’s Position

On Thursday, Han stated that he would not approve the new justices without bipartisan agreement. In response, the Democratic Party, which holds a parliamentary majority, submitted the impeachment motion against Han and passed measures to support the judicial appointments.

Investigations and Broader Consequences

South Korean investigative agencies are examining whether Yoon’s martial law declaration constitutes rebellion and abuse of power. Several senior military leaders, along with Yoon’s defense minister and police chief, have already been arrested. These arrests followed the controversial deployment of police and military forces to the National Assembly, leading to a dramatic standoff before lawmakers overruled Yoon’s order.

As the Constitutional Court deliberates on the impeachments of both Yoon and Han, South Korea faces a prolonged period of political uncertainty and intense scrutiny of its democratic institutions.

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Source : apnews

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