In brief
In a dramatic turn of events, South Korea's National Assembly has voted to impeach acting President Han Duck-soo, with 192 lawmakers backing the motion—surpassing the minimum requirement of 151 votes. This impeachment follows the removal of President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was ousted after attempting to impose martial law on December 3. Han, who took over amid this political crisis, faced significant criticism from opposition members who accused him of obstructing the ongoing impeachment process against Yoon.
The scene in parliament was chaotic as Yoon's ruling People Power Party (PPP) raised objections and protests regarding the vote's proceedings, which required a simple majority rather than the 200 votes that were necessary for Yoon's impeachment. With the announcement that only 151 votes were needed, many ruling party lawmakers protested loudly, claiming the process was abusive of power. Most chose to boycott the vote entirely, leading to a contentious atmosphere. Once Han receives the official notification of his impeachment from parliament, he will be suspended from his duties.Like Yoon, Han's impeachment must be validated by Korea's Constitutional Court, which has up to 180 days to issue its ruling. Han expressed respect for the National Assembly's decision, indicating that he was awaiting the court's verdict. The opposition had previously initiated the impeachment motion following Han's decision to block the appointment of three judges pivotal to Yoon's case, aiming to bolster the impeachment's chances through increased representation in the court.With Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok stepping in as the new acting president, Han's removal is likely to deepen the political instability currently afflicting South Korea. The situation is compounded by a significant decline in the value of South Korea's currency, as the won hit its lowest level against the dollar since the 2008 financial crisis. As tensions rise, both political factions are engaged in a blame game, uncertain about the future direction of the country. This breaking story is under continuous development, with more updates expected soon.
