South Korean lawmakers impeached Acting President Han Duck-soo on Friday, as the country struggles to shake off political turmoil sparked by his predecessor’s martial law declaration.
Opposition MPs demanded Han, who is also prime minister, be removed from office, arguing he had refused demands to complete President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment process and to bring him to justice
Han assumed the presidency following Yoon’s impeachment by parliament after an unsuccessful attempt to implement martial law on December 3.
Han was expected to guide the nation through its political crisis, but opposition members of parliament claimed he was ignoring calls to finalise Yoon’s impeachment process.
The atmosphere in parliament was tumultuous during the vote held on Friday.
Lawmakers from the ruling People Power Party (PPP) objected when National Assembly speaker Woo Won-shik declared that only 151 votes were required to pass the impeachment measure. This meant that, in contrast to the 200 votes necessary for Yoon’s impeachment, no votes from the ruling party members were needed for Han’s impeachment this time.
Members of the ruling party gathered in the centre of the voting chamber, shouting “invalid!” and “abuse of power!” in protest and demanding the Speaker resign. Most chose to boycott the vote.
Han will temporarily relieve his duties once he receives official notification from parliament. Like Yoon, Han’s impeachment must be validated by the constitutional court, which has 180 days to determine whether the impeachment should stand.
“I respect the National Assembly’s decision,” Han stated on Friday, expressing that he “will await the Constitutional Court’s ruling.”
The opposition initiated an impeachment motion against Han on Thursday after he obstructed the appointment of three judges selected by parliament to oversee Yoon’s case.
Finance Minister Choi Sang-Mok is expected to succeed Han as acting president.