South Korea’s lawmakers, on Friday impeached Acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo. This move adds to the political chaos sparked by President Yoon Suk Yeol’s with his declaration of martial law.
The impeachment marks the first time in South Korea’s history that an acting president has been removed from office, further highlighting the deep divisions within the country’s political system.
Han Duck-soo assumed the role of acting president earlier this month after President Yoon Suk Yeol was suspended by a parliamentary vote following his controversial decision to impose martial law on December 3.
However, opposition lawmakers argued that Han failed to fulfill his responsibilities by not advancing Yoon’s impeachment process or facilitating justice for his actions.
During a heated session in the National Assembly, Speaker Woo Won-shik announced that Han’s impeachment motion had passed unanimously, with 192 votes in favor out of 192 cast. The ruling People’s Power Party (PPP), however, boycotted the vote and protested vigorously, accusing Woo of bias and demanding his resignation.
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Opposition parties accused Han of undermining the rule of law by refusing to cooperate with the investigation into Yoon’s martial law declaration and rejecting the appointment of three nominees for the Constitutional Court.
“Han Duck-soo has violated his duty as a public official to uphold the law and serve the people,” stated Democratic Party lawmaker Jo Seoung-lae. According to Jo, Han’s refusal to appoint the judges and his reluctance to cooperate with the special investigation were direct challenges to the Constitution.
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Han, on the other hand, maintained that he respected the parliament’s decision and would await the Constitutional Court’s ruling on whether to uphold the impeachment. He had previously urged for bipartisan dialogue to resolve the deadlock over the nominees.
Following Han’s removal, Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok stepped in as acting president. Choi warned that the political turmoil was placing significant strain on the country’s economy, which he described as being on “thin ice” amid the ongoing national emergency.
“An impeachment motion against the acting authority is no different from an impeachment motion against the entire cabinet,” Choi said during a press conference. He urged lawmakers to prioritize stability for the sake of the nation’s economy and citizens’ livelihoods, which have already been impacted by the political uncertainty.
The impeachment of Han comes just two weeks after the suspension of President Yoon, making this the second high-profile removal of a South Korean leader in a short period. The rapid succession of political upheavals has left the nation grappling with questions about the stability of its democratic institutions.
PPP leader Kweon Seong-dong criticized the impeachment, stating that Han should continue leading state affairs and calling the opposition’s actions reckless.