SEOUL - Political Chaos Unfolds with Han Duck-soo's Impeachment

In a dramatic turn of events on December 27, South Korea's Parliament has successfully impeached Acting President Han Duck-soo, plunging the nation further into political chaos. The impeachment follows Han’s leadership during a controversial martial law declaration by suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was impeached on December 14.

The vote came as a result of a motion propelled by opposition parties, gaining 192 out of the 300 votes despite vociferous protests from members of the ruling People Power Party (PPP). These members surrounded the Speaker’s podium, vocally contesting the legitimacy of the vote and calling it “tyranny.”

Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung, whose Democratic Party (DP) controls a significant majority in Parliament, argued that Han had "acted for insurrection," and insisted on a firm approach to extinguish the forces deemed threatening to the nation's democracy. “The only way to normalize the country is to swiftly root out all the insurrection forces,” Lee declared passionately before the vote.

Public sentiment appears to favor the impeachment, as numerous opinion polls indicate widespread support for Yoon's ousting following his controversial martial law proposal, which was seen by many as authoritarian. The DP's decision to move forward with Han's impeachment came after he refused to appoint three new justices to the Constitutional Court, claiming that doing so would overstep the limits of his acting presidency.

Initially, there was confusion over the required voting threshold for Han’s impeachment, with a simple majority needed for an acting president. Speaker Woo ultimately clarified that a simple majority would suffice for the motion to pass.

After the vote, Han announced his intention to step aside to prevent further turmoil, expressing a willingness to await the Constitutional Court's ruling on his impeachment. According to legal provisions, Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok will now assume the role of acting president.

Choi had previously cautioned Parliament against the impeachment, emphasizing its potential negative impacts on the country's economy. Following the turmoil, the South Korean won weakened, trading at 1,475.4 against the dollar, down 0.53% just before the vote.

Coinciding with the parliamentary vote, the Constitutional Court held its first hearing regarding Yoon's impeachment, which could either reinstate him or confirm his permanent removal from office within the next 180 days. As South Korea navigates these unprecedented challenges, the future of its democratic institutions hangs in the balance.