In brief
A chaotic scene unfolded in the National Assembly as 192 lawmakers voted for Han's impeachment, amidst fierce protests from ruling party members.
South Korea has faced a significant political upheaval following the impeachment of acting president Han Duck-soo, with parliament voting decisively for his removal. This decision comes just two weeks after the parliament voted to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol, who faced backlash for his attempts to impose martial law on December 3rd. The parliament was lit with tension as a record 192 lawmakers supported Han's impeachment, easily surpassing the 151 votes necessary for approval.Entering the position after Yoon's impeachment, Han was expected to stabilize the country's political landscape. However, opposition members criticized him for allegedly stalling the impeachment processes and failing to fulfill his responsibilities. During the historic vote held on Friday, chaos erupted in the assembly as members of Yoon and Han’s ruling People Power Party (PPP) protested against the announcement that only 151 votes were needed, a stark contrast to the 200 required during Yoon's impeachment. With ruling party members loudly denouncing the vote and accusing the speaker of abusing his power, many chose to boycott the proceedings. When officially notified, Han will be suspended from his duties, leaving the country in a state of political unrest.Moving forward, Han’s impeachment, like that of Yoon’s, will need confirmation from Korea’s Constitutional Court, which has a 180-day window to decide on the matter. Han expressed his respect for the National Assembly’s decision, while also indicating he would await the court's verdict. The opposition's maneuvering to file an impeachment motion was triggered after Han blocked the appointment of three judges intended to oversee Yoon’s case, a strategic move that could influence the outcome of the impeachment proceedings.With only six judges available to rule on this critical issue, any rejection could potentially allow Yoon to maintain his position. The situation remains precarious as Han Duck-soo's impending removal is anticipated to escalate the ongoing political gridlock amid an economic downturn, evidenced by the Korean won plummeting to its lowest point against the dollar since the 2007 financial crisis. There’s a palpable sense of uncertainty as the nation navigates through uncharted political waters. Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok is expected to step in as acting president following Han’s suspension.
