South Korean politics is in upheaval after the impeachment of Acting President Han Duck-soo.
According to Breitbart, Han was impeached by lawmakers after allegations of stalling the impeachment process against former President Yoon Suk-yeol.
On December 3, Yoon attempted to impose martial law, triggering a fast-moving series of events that led to his impeachment proceedings. In the wake of Yoon's impeachment, Han Duck-soo assumed office. However, his term as acting president was short-lived, lasting only 13 days before he too was impeached by Parliament.
The vote for Han’s impeachment saw all 192 present members of the 300-seat Parliament in agreement. This unanimity underscored a rare moment of consensus, often absent in such heated political situations. The remaining members of Parliament, aligned with Han and Yoon’s People Power Party, abstained from voting in protest of the proceedings.
Spearheading the controversial vote was National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik, who is noted for his background as a former student activist. He managed the session with a firm adherence to legislative protocols amidst a volatile political atmosphere.
The legal uncertainty introduced by this impeachment is compounded by a peculiar situation in the Constitutional Court, which is currently operating with three vacancies since early 2024. This could potentially delay the final determination on Han's impeachment, raising concerns about institutional inefficiencies at a critical time.
Following the vote, the South Korean won faced significant depreciation, reflecting the markets' nervous reaction to the political instability. This financial downturn highlights the broader economic implications of the ongoing political crisis.
Han Duck-soo commented on the situation: “In order not to add to the confusion and uncertainty, I will suspend my duties in line with relevant laws, and wait for the swift and wise decision of the Constitutional Court.”
Deputy Prime Minister Choi Sang-mok has now stepped in as the new acting president following Han's departure. Choi emphasized the importance of governmental stability during this transitional period.
“The most important thing right now is to minimize the confusion in state affairs. The government will do its best to stabilize them,” claimed Choi Sang-mok as he took over the responsibilities of the acting president.
This statement reflects a broader effort by the remaining government officials to retain control and minimize public and economic backlash during these turbulent times.
The impeachment was notably argued on grounds that, because Han was acting as both the president and the prime minister, he should face the same impeachment criteria typically applied to a prime minister, a unique interpretation that complicated the legal debate.
This approach, taken by the parliament, has been scrutinized by legal experts due to its unprecedented application, reflecting the extraordinary nature of South Korea's current political climate.
With Deputy Prime Minister Choi's ascension to acting president and the ongoing role of the Constitutional Court in determining Han’s impeachment finality, the nation watches closely. South Korea's political landscape continues to be shaped by these significant legal and legislative changes, hoping for stabilization in both governance and economic sectors. This series of political shifts illustrates both the fragility and the resilience of democratic institutions in the face of internal crises.
