South Korea’s Acting President Impeached Amid Political Crisis

South Korea’s Acting President Impeached Amid Political Crisis \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ South Korea’s National Assembly has impeached acting President Han Duck-soo, escalating a political crisis sparked by President Yoon Suk Yeol’s martial law declaration and impeachment. Han will be suspended from office pending a Constitutional Court ruling. This turmoil, marked by legislative boycotts and debates over judicial appointments, has disrupted governance and strained South Korea’s international standing.

South Korea’s Leadership Crisis: Quick Looks

• Han Duck-soo Impeached: Acting President removed with a 192-0 vote amid governing party protests.
• Suspension of Duties: Deputy Prime Minister Choi Sang-mok assumes Han’s responsibilities.
• Context: Crisis stems from President Yoon Suk Yeol’s martial law declaration and impeachment.
• Judicial Impasse: Disputes over appointing Constitutional Court justices to rule on Yoon’s impeachment.
• Military and Diplomacy: Choi reassures allies of South Korea’s stability while bolstering military readiness.

Deep Look

South Korea is navigating a tumultuous political crisis as its opposition-controlled National Assembly voted to impeach acting President Han Duck-soo on Friday. This dramatic development, which follows the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol, marks an unprecedented moment in the nation’s democratic history. The dual impeachments of South Korea’s top leaders have left the country in a leadership vacuum, with significant implications for its political stability, economic health, and international standing.

The crisis began earlier this month when President Yoon shocked the nation by declaring martial law on December 3. Although the decree was short-lived, lasting just six hours, it unleashed a wave of political and legal challenges. Yoon’s actions prompted swift condemnation from the National Assembly, which impeached him for abuse of power and rebellion. Acting President Han, who took over following Yoon’s suspension, has now been impeached for his alleged role in obstructing investigations into Yoon’s actions and stalling critical judicial appointments.

The Vote to Impeach Han Duck-soo

The impeachment of Han Duck-soo passed in the National Assembly with a 192-0 vote, as lawmakers from the governing People Power Party (PPP) boycotted the session in protest. The PPP accused Speaker Woo Won Shik of procedural violations, claiming the vote required a two-thirds majority, a threshold applicable to presidential impeachments but not to acting presidents. Despite heated protests from PPP lawmakers, the motion was approved, and Han’s powers were immediately suspended.

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok has assumed Han’s duties as acting president. Choi moved swiftly to reassure South Korea’s allies, including the United States and Japan, that the country’s foreign policies remain stable despite the ongoing turmoil. He also instructed the military to heighten readiness to deter any provocations from North Korea, which may seek to exploit the political instability in Seoul.

Origins of the Political Crisis

The seeds of the current crisis were sown by President Yoon Suk Yeol’s controversial decision to declare martial law earlier this month. Yoon defended the decree as necessary to curb what he described as obstructionist tactics by the opposition Democratic Party, which holds a majority in the National Assembly. The martial law order included deploying troops and police to the National Assembly, leading to a dramatic standoff with lawmakers. Ultimately, the legislature overruled Yoon’s decree and initiated impeachment proceedings against him.

Han Duck-soo, appointed as prime minister by Yoon, became acting president after Yoon’s suspension. However, Han quickly clashed with the Democratic Party, which accused him of collaborating with Yoon and obstructing the legislative process. At the heart of their dispute was the opposition’s demand that Han approve the appointment of three new Constitutional Court justices, a move critical to the court’s ability to rule on Yoon’s impeachment.

The Constitutional Court, which currently has three vacant seats, requires a full nine-member bench to deliver rulings on major cases. Dismissing Yoon as president would require the support of at least six justices. The Democratic Party argued that filling the vacancies was essential for the court’s impartiality, while the PPP insisted that Han lacked the authority to make the appointments in Yoon’s absence.

Legal and Procedural Controversies

Han’s impeachment motion accuses him of several charges, including:

• Collaborating with Yoon in the martial law declaration.
• Obstructing the restoration of the Constitutional Court’s full membership.
• Delaying investigations into Yoon’s alleged rebellion by refusing to appoint independent counsels.

The impeachment of an acting president is a legal gray area in South Korea. Unlike the impeachment of a sitting president, which requires a two-thirds majority in the National Assembly, the impeachment of most other officials can be passed with a simple majority. The absence of clear guidelines for acting presidents has added to the controversy surrounding Han’s removal.

Implications for the Constitutional Court

The composition of the Constitutional Court is a pivotal issue in this crisis. A ruling on Yoon’s impeachment must occur within 180 days, and the outcome will likely shape the future of South Korea’s political landscape. The Democratic Party’s push to appoint three new justices before the court’s ruling has sparked fierce resistance from the PPP, which views the move as an attempt to sway the verdict in favor of removing Yoon from office.

Han’s refusal to approve the appointments without bipartisan consensus further inflamed tensions. In response, the Democratic Party submitted the impeachment motion against Han, arguing that his actions undermined the judiciary’s ability to function effectively.

Domestic and International Fallout

The political instability has taken a toll on South Korea’s economy, with markets reacting nervously to the leadership vacuum. Investors are wary of prolonged gridlock and uncertainty, particularly as the nation grapples with slowing economic growth and rising geopolitical tensions.

Internationally, South Korea’s allies are closely monitoring the situation. The crisis has raised questions about Seoul’s ability to maintain stability and fulfill its commitments on the global stage. Choi Sang-mok’s assurances to allies have sought to mitigate concerns, but the lack of a clear resolution to the leadership crisis continues to pose risks.

Investigations into Yoon’s Actions

Meanwhile, investigations into Yoon’s martial law decree are ongoing. Prosecutors have already arrested several senior officials, including former Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun, who has been charged with abuse of power and obstruction. Yoon himself has refused to comply with multiple requests for questioning, further complicating the legal process.

The martial law declaration, the first in South Korea in more than four decades, has been widely criticized as an overreach of executive power. While Yoon’s allies argue that the decree was a legitimate response to legislative obstruction, critics see it as an alarming escalation that undermined democratic norms.

Looking Ahead

South Korea faces significant challenges as it navigates this period of political upheaval. The Constitutional Court’s decisions on the impeachments of Yoon and Han will be critical in determining the nation’s path forward. Reinstating either leader could reignite tensions, while their removal may pave the way for new elections and a potential reset in governance.

As the crisis unfolds, the resilience of South Korea’s democratic institutions will be put to the test. The nation must find a way to restore stability, rebuild public trust, and reaffirm its commitment to democratic principles in the face of unprecedented challenges.

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