In a significant escalation of the political crisis in South Korea, the main opposition party has filed for the impeachment of Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who is currently serving as the acting president after the parliament’s recent impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol. The Democratic Party (DP) accuses Han of failing to fulfill his duties and of complicity in Yoon’s controversial martial law attempt, which had previously sparked widespread public outcry.
Impeachment Motion Filed Against South Korea's Acting President
Impeachment Motion Filed Against South Korea's Acting President
South Korea’s opposition moves to impeach acting leader Han Duck-soo amid ongoing political turmoil following President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment.
Han Duck-soo’s refusal to appoint constitutional court judges proposed by the DP has intensified tensions, prompting the party's floor leader Park Chan-dae to label Han an "acting insurrectionist." Since the impeachment of Yoon, the opposition expected Han to facilitate legislative processes. However, he has asserted his authority by vetoing multiple bills aimed at investigating the martial law declaration and corruption allegations against first lady Kim Keon Hee.
The impeachment motion, which is anticipated to face a vote within the next few days, requires at least 151 votes from the 300-member parliament to pass. With 170 seats held by the DP and 192 held by opposition parties collectively, there is a strong likelihood that the motion could succeed.
In a recent cabinet meeting, Han opted not to discuss opposition-sponsored bills that aimed to investigate the controversies surrounding the martial law declaration. He stated that this strategy was meant to allow more time for compromise between parties. However, this decision has drawn sharp criticism from the opposition, who accuse him of stalling.
With Han declaring he will not appoint the three judges until a bipartisan consensus is achieved, Park warned that he risks cementing his legacy as a disgraceful figure in South Korea’s political history. Meanwhile, the ruling People Power Party defended Han’s decisions, accusing the opposition of undermining his legitimate authority.
If the motion for Han's impeachment passes, finance minister Choi Sang-mok would take over as acting president. The political landscape remains volatile, with the Seoul Constitutional Court also set to begin deliberations on whether Yoon should face permanent removal from office for his insurrection allegations. Demonstrators continue to rally for Yoon’s ouster, while the court's next hearings are drawing near. The political drama is compounded by ongoing investigations into several high-profile officials linked to the martial law attempt.
The impeachment motion, which is anticipated to face a vote within the next few days, requires at least 151 votes from the 300-member parliament to pass. With 170 seats held by the DP and 192 held by opposition parties collectively, there is a strong likelihood that the motion could succeed.
In a recent cabinet meeting, Han opted not to discuss opposition-sponsored bills that aimed to investigate the controversies surrounding the martial law declaration. He stated that this strategy was meant to allow more time for compromise between parties. However, this decision has drawn sharp criticism from the opposition, who accuse him of stalling.
With Han declaring he will not appoint the three judges until a bipartisan consensus is achieved, Park warned that he risks cementing his legacy as a disgraceful figure in South Korea’s political history. Meanwhile, the ruling People Power Party defended Han’s decisions, accusing the opposition of undermining his legitimate authority.
If the motion for Han's impeachment passes, finance minister Choi Sang-mok would take over as acting president. The political landscape remains volatile, with the Seoul Constitutional Court also set to begin deliberations on whether Yoon should face permanent removal from office for his insurrection allegations. Demonstrators continue to rally for Yoon’s ouster, while the court's next hearings are drawing near. The political drama is compounded by ongoing investigations into several high-profile officials linked to the martial law attempt.
