Again, South Korea National Assembly Impeaches Acting President

In just 14 days in office, the opposition-controlled National Assembly has impeached South Korea’s acting President Han Duck-soo.

Duck-soo’s impeachment follows approval of a motion in a 192-0 vote on Friday amid rising political tensions in the Asian country.

Mr Han emerged as the country’s interim leader on 14th December 2024, following the impeachment and suspension of President Yoon Suk Yeol by the National Assembly after declaring a contentious martial law.

Mr Han, the prime minister at the time, immediately climbed the ladder to fill the vacant seat.

However, the opposition lawmakers have now voted on Friday to impeach him over his refusal to appoint three judges to fill vacancies left by retired judges in the Constitutional Court.

This is the body that will be deciding whether to reinstate or formally remove Mr Yoon.

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Six or more justices out of the nine-member court must vote in favour of impeachment to remove Mr Yoon from office and one dissenting voice in the former leader’s trial would overturn his impeachment.

The proceeding boycotted by governing party lawmakers was the first time an interim leader had been impeached in South Korea, raising questions about who is in charge of the government and military in the country.

Meanwhile, Choi Sang-mok, who is currently the finance minister and deputy prime minister, is the next in line to be named acting president.