South Korea’s National Assembly has voted to impeach acting president Han Duck-soo, just two weeks after lawmakers impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol. A total of 192 lawmakers supported the impeachment, surpassing the 151 votes required for it to pass.
Han Duck-soo, who assumed the presidency following Yoon’s impeachment due to his controversial attempt to impose martial law on December 3, was expected to navigate the country through its ongoing political crisis. However, opposition members criticized him for allegedly obstructing the impeachment process against Yoon.
The parliamentary session on Friday was marked by dramatic scenes, as chaos erupted during the vote. Members of the ruling People Power Party (PPP) protested vehemently after National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik announced that only 151 votes were needed for Han’s impeachment, a significant reduction from the 200 votes required for Yoon’s removal. This change meant that votes from ruling party members were not necessary for Han’s impeachment.
In response, PPP lawmakers gathered in the chamber, chanting slogans such as “invalid!” and “abuse of power!” Many chose to boycott the vote altogether. Following the impeachment, Han will be suspended from his duties once he receives official notification from parliament.
The opposition filed the impeachment motion against Han after he blocked the appointment of three judges designated to oversee Yoon’s impeachment case. With South Korea’s Constitutional Court typically requiring a nine-member bench, the current situation poses a risk for Yoon; if just one of the six judges on the bench rejects the impeachment, he could remain in office.
The opposition had hoped that the three additional judges would bolster their chances of securing Yoon’s removal. This marks the first time in South Korea’s democratic history that an acting president has been impeached.
Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok is set to take over as acting president. Like Yoon, Han’s impeachment must be confirmed by the Constitutional Court, which has up to 180 days to make its ruling.
In a statement following the vote, Han expressed his respect for the National Assembly’s decision and indicated he would await the Constitutional Court’s judgment. He also announced his intention to suspend his duties to help mitigate the ongoing chaos.
