The political crisis in South Korea deepened with the impeachment of acting President Han Duck-soo by the opposition-controlled National Assembly. This move comes after President Yoon Suk Yeol’s imposition of martial law and subsequent impeachment, adding to the country’s political turmoil, economic uncertainties, and damaged international image. The impeachments of the top two officials have left the country in a state of uncertainty and unrest.
Han’s impeachment means he will be stripped of his powers and duties as president while the Constitutional Court decides whether to dismiss or reinstate him. The National Assembly passed the impeachment motion with a 192-0 vote, leading to protests from governing party lawmakers who boycotted the vote. The PPP lawmakers surrounded the assembly Speaker and demanded his resignation, claiming the vote was invalid as a two-thirds majority was needed for the impeachment of a president.
Following his impeachment, Han expressed regret but stated that he respects the assembly’s decision and will suspend his duties to avoid further confusion. Han’s powers were officially suspended after copies of the impeachment document were delivered to him and the Constitutional Court. The deputy prime minister and finance minister, Choi Sang-mok, took over Han’s responsibilities, instructing the military to boost readiness and ensuring that foreign policies remain unchanged.
The impeachment of Han follows clashes with the main liberal opposition Democratic Party over the appointment of new Constitutional Court justices and an independent investigation into Yoon’s martial law decree. The Democratic Party has demanded that Han approve the nominations to restore the court’s full membership, a politically sensitive issue that may impact Yoon’s impeachment. Han’s refusal to appoint the justices led to an impeachment motion against him by the Democratic Party.
Yoon is being investigated for rebellion and abuse of power related to his martial law decree, with his defense minister and other officials already arrested over their roles in the deployment of troops to the National Assembly. South Korean media reported that former Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun was indicted for his involvement in Yoon’s rebellion plot, marking the first formal charges in the case. Han’s impeachment motion accuses him of collaborating with Yoon and obstructing investigations into the rebellion claims.
The martial law decree, lasting only six hours, caused political turmoil, alarm from neighboring countries, and market instability. Yoon has defended his actions as necessary to warn the Democratic Party against obstructing his agenda. The situation in South Korea remains tense, with the opposition seeking to restore the Constitutional Court’s membership and push for Yoon’s dismissal. The country is grappling with serious political and legal challenges as it navigates through this unprecedented crisis.
