South Korea’s parliament has voted to impeach Acting President Han Duck-soo, just days after President Yoon Suk Yeol was stripped of his powers. This move is the latest in a series of dramatic events that have plunged the country into political chaos.
The impeachment motion was filed by the main opposition Democratic Party after Han refused to fill three vacant seats in the Constitutional Court. This court is set to adjudicate Yoon’s impeachment trial, and the Democratic Party sees Han’s refusal as an attempt to disrupt the trial.
Han’s impeachment is a significant development in the country’s ongoing political turmoil. Yoon’s declaration of martial law on December 3, which lasted only six hours, sparked mass protests and led to his impeachment. Han, as Acting President, has been under pressure to stabilize the government, but his refusal to appoint new justices to the Constitutional Court has only added to the uncertainty.
The impeachment process is complex, with different parties disagreeing on the number of votes required to impeach Han. The Democratic Party argues that a simple majority is sufficient, while Han’s People Power Party claims that a two-thirds majority is needed ¹. The Constitutional Court will ultimately decide Han’s fate, but the impeachment vote is a significant blow to his authority.
If Han is removed from office, Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok will assume the role of Acting President. The country’s political future remains uncertain, with many wondering what’s next for South Korea.
