South Korea’s parliament voted to impeach prime minister and acting president Han Duck-soo on Friday, following political turmoil sparked by President Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law order. The impeachment motion against Han received 192 votes, surpassing the required majority of 151 in the 300-member legislature.
The chaotic scenes in parliament saw ruling party lawmakers celebrating the decision, accusing Han of abuse of power. Han, who took over as acting president after Yoon's impeachment, accepted the decision and announced his suspension of duties to prevent further confusion.
Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok now serves as the acting president. The main opposition party initiated the impeachment motion after Han's refusal to appoint new justices to the Constitutional Court, essential for Yoon's impeachment trial.
Han defended his stance, emphasizing the need for bipartisan agreement before judicial appointments. The political unrest in South Korea began with Yoon's brief martial law decree on December 3, leading to mass protests and his subsequent impeachment.
The Constitutional Court, with only six sitting justices out of nine, faces the task of deciding on Yoon's fate. The court must determine if the six justices can rule on the impeachment alone, requiring a unanimous decision to remove Yoon from office.
Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung criticized the ruling party for supporting Yoon, calling Han an 'acting insurrection leader.' The ruling party disputed Han's impeachment vote, declaring it null and void.
Simultaneously, the Constitutional Court commenced Yoon's impeachment trial, potentially making him the shortest-serving president in South Korea's democratic history if upheld. Yoon faces investigations, including allegations of leading an insurrection, which could result in severe penalties.
