Han Duck Soo
State crisis in South Korea: Interim President Han also removed from office
The political chaos in South Korea continues: After President Yoon Suk Yeol was suspended, impeachment proceedings have now been initiated against his successor.
South Korea’s parliament has voted to remove interim President Han Duck Soo. 192 of all 300 MPs voted for the motion submitted by the opposition, significantly more than the required simple majority, said the chairman of the National Assembly, Woo Won Shik. Finance Minister and Vice Prime Minister Choi Sang Mok is expected to replace Han as interim president.
This is the second time in less than two weeks that South Korea’s parliament has voted to remove a head of state. Han’s predecessor, Yoon Suk Yeol, was previously suspended after the brief declaration of martial law.
Han, who is refusing to fill the three currently vacant constitutional court judge positions, is accused by opposition parties of effectively complicating the impeachment trial of Yoon Suk Yeol.
Constitutional Court in South Korea begins impeachment proceedings
The Constitutional Court also began impeachment proceedings against Yoon on Friday. During the first hearing scheduled for today, both Yoon Suk Yeol’s and the National Assembly’s legal representatives will be able to present their respective arguments, call witnesses and present evidence.
Over the next few weeks and possibly months, the Constitutional Court will then examine in a final trial whether the impeachment of Yoon previously decided by the South Korean National Assembly was unconstitutional or compliant.
If the judges confirm the impeachment, new elections would have to be scheduled within 60 days at the latest.
However, if the Constitutional Court overturns the impeachment, Yoon Suk Yeol would return to the presidency.
Declaration of martial law: soldiers and protesters face each other
Head of State Yoon Suk Yeol surprisingly declared martial law on South Korea in a TV speech. He justified this with the need to protect the country’s democratic order and directed accusations at the opposition, which holds the majority in parliament
© Uncredited/South Korea Presidential Office/AP / DPA
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Yoon Suk Yeol unexpectedly declared martial law
At least six judges must confirm the impeachment. Since only six of nine judge positions on the Constitutional Court are currently occupied, a veto vote would be enough to declare the impeachment invalid.
At the beginning of December, Yoon unexpectedly imposed martial law in the face of a budget dispute and lifted it again hours later after massive resistance. Since then, there have been mass protests against Yoon in South Korea.
The opposition then submitted a motion for impeachment in the National Assembly, which, after a failed first attempt, finally achieved the required two-thirds majority among MPs on December 14th.
Yoon recently defended his controversial decision by saying he had declared martial law to protect the nation. His political opponents are “anti-state forces” that paralyze government work and disrupt the country’s constitutional order.
AFP · DPA
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Source: Stern
I have been working in the news industry for over 6 years, first as a reporter and now as an editor. I have covered politics extensively, and my work has appeared in major newspapers and online news outlets around the world. In addition to my writing, I also contribute regularly to 24 Hours World.
