South Korea’s parliament has voted to impeach Acting President Han Duck-soo, intensifying a political crisis that has paralyzed governance and tarnished the nation’s global reputation. The decision, made in a dramatic session on Friday, followed closely on the heels of former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment over his controversial martial law decree earlier this month.
Impeachment Vote in Parliament
The national assembly approved the impeachment motion introduced by the opposition Democratic Party (DP) on Thursday, passing it by a unanimous 192-0 vote. The chamber’s 300 MPs include members of the ruling People Power Party (PPP), who boycotted the vote in protest.
Han had assumed the role of acting president after Yoon’s impeachment on December 3 for enacting martial law, a decision that plunged the nation into chaos. Yoon’s decree, though brief, invoked painful memories for older South Koreans of the violent suppression during the country’s transition from military rule to democracy in the 1980s.
The Martial Law Crisis
Yoon claimed martial law was necessary to combat alleged anti-state activities by opposition politicians he accused of having pro-North Korean sympathies. However, he provided no evidence for these accusations. Analysts suggest Yoon’s move stemmed from frustration over his inability to push budgets past the opposition-controlled assembly.
The decree, in effect for only a few hours before MPs intervened to overturn it, would have suspended political activity, banned protests, restricted press freedoms, and given the military and police sweeping enforcement powers.
Yoon’s impeachment two weeks ago required bipartisan support, with members of his own party siding with the opposition to oust him. By contrast, Han’s impeachment needed only a simple majority, as he was not directly elected to the presidency.
Opposition Criticism of Han
Han’s reluctance to appoint three constitutional court justices to fill vacancies added fuel to the opposition’s push for his impeachment. The court is tasked with ruling on the validity of Yoon’s impeachment and is operating with only six of its nine justices. Han argued that appointing new justices exceeded his authority as acting president.
Lee Jae-myung, leader of the Democratic Party, accused Han of “acting for insurrection” by obstructing efforts to restore stability. “The only way to normalize the country is to swiftly root out all the insurrection forces,” Lee said. He framed the impeachment as necessary to safeguard South Korea’s democracy and economy, the latter being Asia’s fourth-largest.
Public and Political Reactions
The impeachment has resonated with South Koreans, many of whom have taken to the streets in massive protests calling for accountability over the martial law crisis. Polls indicate strong public support for Yoon’s removal and for holding other officials accountable.
Meanwhile, chaotic scenes unfolded in parliament on Friday as PPP lawmakers gathered around Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik, an opposition MP, to protest the vote. They declared the impeachment invalid and demanded Woo’s resignation.
Han Steps Aside; Interim Leadership in Place
Following the vote, Han announced his intention to step aside to avoid further chaos and await the constitutional court’s decision. In his absence, Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok has assumed the role of interim president, as stipulated by law.
Choi had urged lawmakers not to proceed with the impeachment motion, warning of the economic risks posed by political instability. “An impeachment motion against the acting authority is no different from an impeachment motion against the entire cabinet,” Choi said in a press conference. He expressed concerns about the fragility of the economy amid the escalating political turmoil.
Constitutional Court Proceedings
The constitutional court convened its first hearing on Friday to determine whether Yoon’s impeachment will stand or be overturned, a decision requiring a two-thirds majority among the sitting justices. The court’s composition is a critical factor, as with only six justices currently seated, a single dissenting vote could reinstate Yoon.
If the court upholds Yoon’s impeachment, South Korea must hold a presidential election within 60 days. Meanwhile, police investigations into the martial law declaration continue, including a raid on a presidential safe house and the collection of security footage.
The Road Ahead
South Korea’s political crisis underscores deep divisions in the country’s governance. The rapid succession of impeachments—first of a sitting president and now of the acting president—has left the nation leaderless and grappling with uncertainty.
The crisis has also highlighted systemic weaknesses, such as the lack of checks and balances to prevent abrupt declarations of martial law or ensure smooth transitions of power. The coming months will be critical as South Koreans await the constitutional court’s ruling and brace for potential new elections.
For now, the focus remains on stabilizing the country’s political landscape and addressing the broader implications of the tumultuous events that have unfolded over the past month.
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