South Korean lawmakers voted to impeach interim President Han Duck-soo, accusing him of “actively participating in the insurgency” following his predecessor’s failed attempt to impose martial law on December 3. “Of the 192 deputies who voted, 192 voted for impeachment,” said National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik.
South Korea is therefore unable to leave behind the political turmoil triggered by the proclamation of martial law by Han Duck-soo’s predecessor, who is also prime minister. Han replaced Yoon Suk Yeol, who was suspended following a parliamentary vote of no confidence following his attempt to subvert the democratic order on December 3, but opposition MPs have now voted to remove him from office. He is refusing, the charges allege, to conclude Yoon’s impeachment trial and bring him to justice. In the impeachment motion presented to parliament, the opposition stated that Han is “intentionally avoiding the special investigation to investigate those involved in the insurrection and proclaimed his intention to reject the appointments of three Constitutional Court judges.” Such actions, the approved motion says, “violate the duty of a public official to enforce the law… and serve the people.”
South Korea then witnessed the second impeachment of a head of state in less than two weeks, further destabilizing its vibrant political scene. It is also the first time that Seoul has accused a sitting president. Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok will now take on the role of acting president, replacing Han. Amid an unprecedented political crisis, the South Korean won plummeted to 1,480.2 per US dollar on Friday morning, marking its lowest level in nearly 16 years of trading.
Source: IL Tempo
John Cameron is a journalist at The Nation View specializing in world news and current events, particularly in international politics and diplomacy. With expertise in international relations, he covers a range of topics including conflicts, politics and economic trends.
