South Korean politics faced another seismic shift as lawmakers voted on Friday to impeach Acting President Han Duck-soo. This development comes on the heels of political chaos triggered by former President Yoon Suk Yeol’s controversial declaration of martial law on December 3.
The Events Leading to the Impeachment
Han Duck-soo assumed the role of acting president following Yoon Suk Yeol’s suspension, but his tenure was short-lived. Opposition lawmakers argued that Han failed to fulfill his duties by avoiding efforts to complete Yoon’s impeachment process and address the insurrection allegations. National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik confirmed the impeachment vote, with all 192 participating lawmakers unanimously supporting the motion.
Despite protests from members of the ruling People’s Power Party (PPP), who boycotted the vote, the impeachment passed with a simple majority in the 300-seat parliament. This marks South Korea’s first impeachment of an acting president and the second impeachment of a national leader in just two weeks.
Political and Economic Fallout
The PPP criticized the move, with party leader Kweon Seong-dong insisting that Han should continue managing state affairs. Meanwhile, Han acknowledged parliament’s decision and stated he would await the Constitutional Court’s verdict on the impeachment’s validity. Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok has stepped in as acting president during this period.
The impeachment heightened political instability in South Korea, with Finance Minister Choi warning that the economy and citizens’ livelihoods could suffer further due to the ongoing political crisis. The South Korean won plummeted to 1,480.2 per US dollar, marking its weakest value in 16 years.
Key Issues at Stake
A central point of contention lies in the composition of the Constitutional Court, which will determine the legitimacy of both Yoon’s and Han’s impeachments. The court currently operates with six judges, three short of its full capacity. Han had refused to approve nominees for these positions, citing the need for bipartisan agreement, a stance the opposition labeled as a violation of constitutional duties.
Democratic Party lawmakers accused Han of undermining constitutional order and intentionally blocking investigations into the martial law declaration. They asserted that his refusal to appoint the judges exposed his bias and obstructed justice.
Outlook
As South Korea awaits the Constitutional Court’s ruling, the political landscape remains turbulent. The court has begun preliminary hearings on Yoon’s impeachment, and investigations into the martial law declaration continue, including a police raid on a presidential safe house.
This unprecedented series of events underscores the deep divisions within South Korean politics and raises questions about the nation’s stability in the months ahead.
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