By Abiola Olawale
South Korean lawmakers have impeached Acting President Han Duck-soo on December 27, 2024, amidst escalating political turmoil rocking the country.
The development follows the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol earlier in the month.
Han Duck-soo, who also served as prime minister, was reportedly impeached for his alleged refusal to appoint three justices to the Constitutional Court to undertake serious constitutional investigations against previously ousted prime minister Yoon.
The opposition lawmakers had said Duck-soo’s action was seen as an attempt to influence or delay the court’s decision on Yoon’s impeachment.
The vote to impeach Han was passed with a majority of 192 out of 192 votes in the National Assembly, with the ruling People Power Party (PPP) boycotting the session.
Counting for the impeachment was delayed as ruling PPP lawmakers protested in parliament after National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik said only a simple majority was needed in the 300-member parliament to proceed with the impeachment.
After the voting, Woo announced: “I announce that Prime Minister Han Duck-soo’s impeachment motion has passed. Out of the 192 lawmakers who voted, 192 voted to impeach.”
Following Han’s impeachment, Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok is set to assume the role of acting president.
The New Diplomat reports that this development further deepens South Korea’s political instability.
The Constitutional Court will now review both Yoon’s and Han’s impeachments amid the ongoing political turmoil in the country.
