 "South Korea impeaches acting president Han Duck-soo two weeks after President Yoon")
Trouble mounts in South Korea after 192 lawmakers voted on Friday to impeach acting president Han Duck-soo, two weeks after parliament voted to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol.
With this South Korea now witnesses its second impeachment of a head of state in less than two weeks which further destabilises its vibrant political scene.
It will also mark the first time South Korea has impeached an acting President.
Prime minister Han took the charge of the acting President after Yoon was suspended following a parliamentary vote following his failed attempt to impose martial law on December 3.
“I announce that Prime Minister Han Duck-soo’s impeachment motion has passed. Out of the 192 lawmakers who voted, 192 voted to impeach,” said National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik on Friday.
In the 300-member parliament, more than 151 votes were needed to succeed the impeachment of the acting president.
What happens next?
As per the South Korean law, finance minister Choi Sang-mok is now next in line to assume the acting presidency.
Why was there a demand to impeach acting President?
Yoon was suspended earlier this month, following which Han was given the charge to lead the country out of its political turmoil, but the opposition lawmakers began demanding removal of Han from office, arguing that he was refusing demands to complete Yoon’s impeachment process and to bring him to justice.
In the impeachment motion put before Parliament on Friday, the Opposition said Han is “intentionally avoiding the special investigation to probe those involved in the insurrection and has clearly stated his intention to reject the appointments of three Constitutional Court judges.”
Such actions, the motion further stated, are “in violation of a public official’s duty to uphold the law… and serve the public.”
The impeachment motion against Han was first filed by the Opposition on Thursday after he blocked the appointment of three judges that parliament had chosen to oversee Yoon’s case.
As per the law, Korea’s Constitutional Court should typically be made up of a nine-member bench. Currently, there are only six judges on the bench, meaning a single rejection would save Yoon from being removed.
The opposition had hoped the three additional nominees would help improve the odds of Yoon getting impeached.
Ruling PPP protest in Parliament
Lawmakers from Yoon and Han’s ruling People Power Party (PPP) protested in parliament after National Assembly speaker Woo Won-shik Friday announced that only 151 votes would be needed to pass the impeachment bill, which meant that, unlike the 200 votes required for Yoon’s impeachment, no votes from ruling lawmakers would be needed for Han to be impeached.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsMPs of the ruling party congregated in the middle of the voting chamber chanting, “invalid!” and “abuse of power!” in response, and called for the Speaker to step down. Most of them even boycotted the vote.
With inputs from agencies.
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