South Korea's National Assembly Votes to Impeach Acting President Han Duck-soo
In a historic move, South Korea's National Assembly has voted to impeach Acting President Han Duck-soo, making him the first acting president to face impeachment in the country's history. The impeachment motion was passed with 192 votes, with members of Han's People Power Party (PPP) boycotting the vote ¹.
The impeachment proceedings were initiated by the opposition Democratic Party (DPK) after Han failed to promulgate two bills providing special counsel for suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol and First Lady Kim Keon-hee. The DPK accused Han of deliberately delaying the process to protect Yoon and his wife ².
The situation escalated when Han blocked the appointment of three justices to the Constitutional Court of Korea, whose nomination was approved by the National Assembly. The DPK saw this move as an attempt by Han to consolidate power and undermine the independence of the judiciary ¹.
The impeachment vote has sparked a mix of reactions, with some hailing it as a victory for democracy and others condemning it as a reckless move that will destabilize the country. Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok warned that impeaching Han would seriously affect South Korea's economic standing ¹.
The impeachment process is expected to be complex and contentious, with the Constitutional Court ultimately deciding Han's fate. According to the Constitutional Court Act, the court must render a decision within 180 days after receiving the impeachment case ².
The implications of Han's impeachment are far-reaching, with potential consequences for the country's politics, economy, and international relations. As the situation unfolds, one thing is clear: South Korea is facing a period of unprecedented uncertainty and upheaval.
- _December 3, 2024:_ President Yoon Suk Yeol declares martial law, which is later overturned by the National Assembly.
- _December 14, 2024:_ Yoon is impeached by the National Assembly, and Han Duck-soo assumes the role of acting president.
- _December 24, 2024:_ The opposition Democratic Party announces plans to impeach Han over his handling of the special counsel bills.
- _December 26, 2024:_ The National Assembly approves a motion to fill the three vacancies in the Constitutional Court, but Han blocks the appointment.
- _December 27, 2024:_ The National Assembly votes to impeach Han, with 192 votes in favor ¹.
- _Deputy Prime Minister Choi Sang-mok:_ "Impeaching Han would seriously affect South Korea's economic standing."
- _Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung:_ "We will do everything in our power to ensure that Han is held accountable for his actions."
- _People Power Party spokesperson:_ "The impeachment vote is a reckless move that will destabilize the country" ¹ ².
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