South Korea In Turmoil: Acting President Han Duck-Soo Impeached By Parliament

South Korea's Parliament on Friday (27 December) impeached acting President Han Duck-soo, citing his involvement in a brief period of martial law.

The decision intensified the nation’s political turmoil, with the Constitutional Court announcing plans to expedite the trial of suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol.

Han, serving as acting president since 14 December after Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment for declaring martial law on 3 December, now faces impeachment himself.

This unprecedented development has cast uncertainty over South Korea’s reputation as a thriving democracy.

The impeachment motion, spearheaded by opposition parties, secured 192 votes out of 300.

The process unfolded amid chaotic scenes, with members of the ruling People Power Party protesting vehemently by surrounding the speaker’s podium and accusing parliament of “tyranny” while declaring the vote invalid.

Before the parliamentary session, Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung announced his party’s intent to proceed with the impeachment of acting President Han Duck-soo.

He accused Han of “acting for insurrection,” emphasising the party's majority control in parliament.

"The only way to normalise the country is to swiftly root out all the insurrection forces," Lee said in a fiery speech, adding the party was acting on the public order to eradicate those who have put the country at risk.

Opinion polls conducted after Yoon Suk Yeol’s attempt to impose martial law revealed strong public support for his removal from office.

On Thursday, the Democratic Party announced its plan to impeach Han Duck-soo.

The decision came after Han declined to appoint three justices to the Constitutional Court, citing concerns that such actions would exceed his authority as acting president.

Uncertainty surrounded the voting threshold for Han’s impeachment up until the session began.

While a simple majority suffices to impeach a prime minister, a two-thirds majority is required to impeach a president.

Speaker Woo Won-shik clarified that a simple majority would suffice for parliamentary approval in this instance.

Following the impeachment vote, Han Duck-soo announced his decision to step aside to prevent further instability and stated he would await the Constitutional Court’s ruling on the matter.

Under South Korean law, Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok will assume the role of acting president.

Prior to the vote, Choi Sang-mok urged parliament to abandon the impeachment plan, warning that it could severely harm South Korea’s economy.

Ahead of the parliamentary vote, the South Korean won weakened, trading at 1,475.4 per dollar, a decline of 0.53 per cent.

The impeachment vote coincided with the Constitutional Court’s first hearing on the case reviewing whether to reverse Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment or permanently remove him from office.

The court has 180 days to deliver its verdict.

Also Read: Chinese Military Launches 'World's Largest' Naval Amphibious Assault Ship With Electromagnetic Catapult Technology