New political turmoil in South Korea, impeachment of acting President, Parliament voted in favor

Seoul: Political instability has deepened in South Korea. The opposition-controlled parliament voted in favor of a motion to impeach acting President Han Duk-soo, while ruling party lawmakers strongly opposed the motion.
The impeachment motion against the acting President has deepened the political crisis in the country, which was triggered by President Yoon Suk Yeol's decision to impose 'martial law' and subsequently pass a motion to impeach him.

Han's impeachment means he will be stripped of his presidential powers and duties until the Constitutional Court decides whether he should be dismissed or reinstated. The court is already reviewing whether to uphold Yoon's previous impeachment. The impeachment of the country's top two officials has deepened political turmoil, deepened its economic uncertainty and damaged its international image.

Parliament approved the impeachment motion

Parliament approved the impeachment motion on Friday. 192 votes were cast in favor of the motion while no votes were cast against it as MPs of the ruling People Power Party (PPP) boycotted the voting. During this time, PPP MPs gathered around the seat of National Assembly Speaker Woo Won Shik and started shouting slogans “The vote is invalid”. They demanded Wu's resignation. However, there is no report of any violence or injury to anyone in this incident.

PPP MPs protested

PPP lawmakers protested after Wu called for a vote on Han's impeachment motion. Most South Korean officials can be impeached by the National Assembly by a simple majority vote, but impeachment of the President requires two-thirds support. There are no specific laws on the impeachment of an acting president.

Han's powers will be officially suspended when copies of his impeachment document are handed over to him and the Constitutional Court. After this, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok will take charge. Yun appointed Han as Prime Minister. Han became the acting president after a motion to impeach Yun was brought by the National Assembly about two weeks ago due to the imposition of 'martial law' on December 3.

Han, South Korea's second-ranking official, has been acting president since President Yoon Suk Yeol was impeached by parliament earlier this month for imposing short-term martial law.

Han's impeachment has deepened South Korea's political crisis.

On Thursday, Hahn said he would not appoint judges without bipartisan consent. The Democratic Party, which holds the majority in the Assembly, introduced an impeachment motion against Han and passed a bill to appoint three judges.

South Korea's investigative agencies are probing whether Yoon incited a rebellion and abused power by ordering 'martial law'. Their defense minister, police chief and several other senior military commanders have already been arrested in this regard.

(with agency input)