SEOUL: South Korea’s acting president faces an impeachment vote on Friday, as the country struggles to end a political crisis sparked by his predecessor’s declaration of martial law that shocked the world. gave
Han Duk-soo took over as acting president from President Yoon Seok-yul, who was suspended on December 3 following a parliamentary vote on a move to impose martial law.
It is also important to note that the country’s Constitutional Court is also meeting on Friday for its first hearing on the suspended Yun’s short-term martial law bid. Reuters.
But opposition lawmakers now want to remove Han, who is also prime minister, from office, arguing that he is refusing calls to complete the impeachment process and bring Yun to justice. are
“Today, our Democratic Party impeaches Prime Minister Han Deok-soo by order of the people,” said Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung.
“The ‘acting authority’ has been transformed into ‘transgressive authority’.”
In an impeachment motion presented to parliament, the opposition said Han was “deliberately avoiding a special investigation to investigate those involved in the coup and has clearly vetoed the appointments of three Constitutional Court judges.” has expressed its intention to reject”.
The motion said such actions “are a violation of the public servant’s duty to uphold the law and serve the public”.
If the opposition succeeds in its bid, South Korea will see a second impeachment of its head of state in less than two weeks, further destabilizing its dynamic political landscape.
This is the first time South Korea has impeached an acting president.
Han will be replaced by Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok as Acting President.
In an emergency press conference with cabinet members, Choi pleaded against the opposition’s action.
“An impeachment motion against the incumbent authority is no different from an impeachment motion against the entire cabinet,” Choi said.
“Our economy and people’s livelihoods, which are running on ice in a national emergency, cannot afford the extension of political uncertainty around the incumbent authority,” he added.