Finance Minister Ascends as Acting President Amid Deepening Political Crisis
PUBLISHED: 27 Dec 2024 at 17:09
SEOUL – South Korea is engulfed in political chaos as lawmakers have voted to impeach acting President Han Duck-soo. This action comes on the heels of President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment on December 14, stemming from the controversial imposition of martial law earlier in the month.
Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok is poised to step in as acting president, following the impeachment of Han Duck-soo, as per South Korean law. A notable turnout of 192 lawmakers voted in favor of the impeachment in the 300-member National Assembly.
The primary opposition party, the Democratic Party, spearheaded the impeachment, citing Han’s failure to promptly appoint three justices to the Constitutional Court. These appointments are crucial for the court’s review of President Yoon’s case, which will ultimately determine his political fate.
Parliament had previously endorsed three judicial nominees, but Han has refrained from formal appointments pending bipartisan consensus, further complicating the political landscape.
The situation has raised questions about the impeachment process, with disagreements over whether a simple majority or a two-thirds vote is necessary for such actions against the acting president. However, National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik asserted that only a simple majority was required for Han’s impeachment.
In a statement following his designation as acting president, Choi Sang-mok indicated that the government has directed the military to enhance its vigilance, amid concerns that North Korea may exploit South Korea’s political instability for provocations.