South Korea’s Acting President Impeached by National Assembly
December 27, 2022
SEOUL, Dec 27 (Bernama-Yonhap) – South Korea’s National Assembly has voted to impeach acting President Han Duck-soo less than two weeks after he took over from President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was impeached for his botched imposition of martial law, Yonhap News Agency reported.
Unanimous Vote
A motion to impeach Han passed unanimously in a 192-0 vote, marking the first time an acting president was impeached by parliament.
Suspended from Duties
Han will be suspended from his duties as soon as the impeachment resolution is delivered to him, putting Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok in his position to serve as both the acting president and the acting prime minister.
Han’s Statement
"I respect the decision of the National Assembly, and 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," Han said in a statement.
Ruling Party Protests
The ruling People Power Party (PPP) protested the decision, however, saying the vote was invalid as the quorum for impeachment was set at a simple majority of 151 votes, which applies to Cabinet ministers, not at a two-thirds majority of 200 votes, which applies to the president.
Quorum Announcement
The quorum was announced by National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik immediately before the vote, sending PPP lawmakers scrambling to encircle the speaker’s seat and punch the air while shouting "null and void."
Impeachment Motion
The impeachment motion against Han was introduced by the main opposition Democratic Party (DP) the previous day after he refused to appoint additional justices to the Constitutional Court that will adjudicate Yoon’s impeachment trial.
Five Reasons for Impeachment
The DP listed five reasons for his impeachment, including his refusal to appoint justices, his involvement in Yoon’s martial law imposition and his refusal to promulgate two special counsel bills targeting Yoon and first lady Kim Keon Hee.
Legal Action Expected
The PPP is widely expected to seek an injunction or take other legal steps to nullify Han’s impeachment.
Conclusion
The impeachment of Acting President Han Duck-soo marks a significant development in South Korea’s political landscape, with the ruling People Power Party (PPP) protesting the decision and vowing to take legal action. The opposition Democratic Party (DP) had introduced the impeachment motion, citing five reasons for his removal, including his refusal to appoint additional justices to the Constitutional Court that will adjudicate Yoon’s impeachment trial.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the significance of the impeachment of Acting President Han Duck-soo?
A: The impeachment of Acting President Han Duck-soo marks the first time an acting president has been removed from office in South Korea’s history.
Q: Why was Acting President Han Duck-soo impeached?
A: Acting President Han Duck-soo was impeached due to his refusal to appoint additional justices to the Constitutional Court that will adjudicate Yoon’s impeachment trial, among other reasons.
Q: What is the next step for the People Power Party (PPP)?
A: The PPP is expected to seek an injunction or take other legal steps to nullify Acting President Han Duck-soo’s impeachment.
Q: What is the role of the Constitutional Court in this process?
A: The Constitutional Court will adjudicate Yoon’s impeachment trial and will play a crucial role in determining the outcome of the impeachment motion.