Impeachment by South Korea’s Parliament Leads to Ousting of Acting President

In a dramatic turn of events in South Korea, Acting President Han Duck-soo has announced his decision to step aside, aiming to prevent further political turmoil in the wake of his predecessor Yoon Suk Yeol’s contentious attempt to impose martial law and subsequent trial.

The unfolding constitutional crisis has now escalated with the impeachment of Acting President Han Duck-soo by the South Korean parliament. This crisis stemmed from the brief imposition of martial law by former President Yoon Suk Yeol, leading to a series of confrontations and standoff between the government and opposition forces.

In the latest development, the opposition initiated impeachment proceedings against Mr. Han over his reluctance to promptly appoint three justices to the Constitutional Court, crucial for the ongoing trial of the former president. Despite parliamentary approval of the justices, Mr. Han insisted on bipartisan consensus before formal appointment, triggering severe criticism from the opposition accusing him of stalling proceedings.

The constitutional ordeal dictates that the unanimous agreement of six justices out of the nine-member Constitutional Court is necessary for the removal of an impeached president, thus placing great importance on the upcoming decisions by the court. The opposition leader reaffirmed the determination to proceed with the impeachment, citing concerns of Mr. Han’s alleged involvement in insurrection.

Following the impeachment vote where Mr. Han was impeached by a significant margin of 192-0 with governing party members abstaining, the finance minister Choi Sang-mok is poised to step in as the new acting president. Mr. Han expressed his willingness to abide by the decision and awaits the Constitutional Court’s verdict on the impeachment motion, echoing similar circumstances faced by his predecessor Mr. Yoon.

The political landscape in South Korea remains tense, and as the legal process unfolds, the nation waits with bated breath for the Constitutional Court’s decisive ruling on the fate of both Acting President Han Duck-soo and the broader implications for the country’s leadership.