Key Takeaways:
– South Korean Acting President Han Duck-soo has been impeached two weeks after his appointment took place.
– Han’s impeachment is the second of a South Korean head of State within a two-week span.
– The impeachment was enforced by opposition MPs arguing that Han had denied demands for the impeachment process against his predecessor.
– Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok becomes a new acting president promising to end South Korea’s ongoing political crisis.
– The impeachment turmoil has drastically affected South Korea’s currency, driving it to a 16-year low against the US dollar.
Han’s Impeachment Deepens Political Crisis
South Korea’s political instability has intensified following the impeachment of acting President Han Duck-soo. This development arose just two weeks post Han’s appointment, succeeding former President Yoon Suk Yeol. Previously, Yoon was suspended due to his shocking move to impose martial law on December 3. South Korea’s National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik announced that Han’s impeachment motion had total support from the 192 voting lawmakers.
Opposition MPs Lead the Charge
Opposition Members of Parliament (MPs) stripped Han of his presidential duties, alleging that he was declining requests to finalize Yoon’s impeachment and bring him to justice. The impeachment caused an uproar among legislators from Han and Yoon’s People’s Power Party (PPP), leading to chaos in parliament. They protested the ruling by demanding Woo’s resignation, opting not to participate in the impeachment vote.
Historical Second Impeachment in a Fortnight
This incident marks the second impeachment of a South Korean leader in just two weeks, signifying a period of major upheaval for the country’s political arena. We also witness the first-ever impeachment of an acting President in South Korea with this move. PPP’s leader Kweon Seong-dong stated after the vote that Han should stand strong against the opposition. Han, on the other hand, stated he respected parliament’s decision and will abide by the Constitutional Court’s impending verdict on the impeachment.
Finance Minister Steps Up as Leader
As turmoil continues, Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok steps up as the new acting president of South Korea. Choi emphasized his commitment to bring an end to the current political instability. He stressed the significance of minimizing governmental disorder and assured that the administration will dedicate all its efforts to resolve this crisis. The political tension has negatively impacted South Korea’s economy, with their currency hitting a 16-year low against the US dollar.
‘True colors’ – Matters Leading to Impeachment
Central to this controversy is the composition of the Constitutional Court which will decide on the impeachment verdicts of Yoon and now Han as well. Han had been refusing to accept three more nominees to form the complete nine-member bench, thereby causing a deadlock. Opposition leaders argue that this act ‘revealed his true colors’ and directly challenged the Constitution and the law. Han had countered these claims insisting that an agreement between the ruling party and the opposition was needed before he confirmed the appointments.
South Korea Treads Path to Stability
The Constitutional Court launched an initial hearing on verifying the validity of the impeachment against Yoon, disregarding the unfolding controversy. On the sidelines, police have also initiated a raid on a presidential safe house gathering evidence related to the martial law enforcement. As South Korea grapples with a spiraling political crisis, now more than before, its path to stability remains uncertain.