South Korea’s opposition-controlled National Assembly votes to impeach acting President Han

South Korea’s political crisis deepened on Friday as the opposition-controlled National Assembly voted to impeach acting President Han Duck-soo. This move comes on the heels of President Yoon Suk Yeol’s imposition of martial law and subsequent impeachment, further exacerbating the country’s turmoil.

With a 192-0 vote, Han was stripped of his presidential powers and duties pending a decision by the Constitutional Court on his dismissal or reinstatement. The governing People Power Party lawmakers boycotted the vote, demanding Woo Won Shik’s resignation as assembly Speaker and denouncing the vote as “invalid.” Han, while calling his impeachment “regrettable,” has stated that he will respect the assembly’s decision and suspend his duties to avoid additional confusion.

Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok has assumed the role of acting president, with Han’s powers officially suspended following the delivery of his impeachment document to both him and the Constitutional Court. Choi has instructed the military to enhance readiness to prevent potential provocations from North Korea and has assured major international partners that South Korea’s foreign policies remain unchanged.

The political infighting stems from the Democratic Party’s insistence on Han approving the assembly’s nominations of three new Constitutional Court justices to restore the bench ahead of its ruling on Yoon’s impeachment. Han’s refusal to appoint the justices without bipartisan consent led to the impeachment motion against him.

Investigations into Yoon’s alleged rebellion and abuse of power have resulted in the arrest of his defense minister, police chief, and other senior military commanders. Former Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun has been indicted for his alleged involvement in Yoon’s rebellion plot and obstruction. The martial law decree, although short-lived, caused political turmoil, regional alarm, and market instability.

Yoon has defended his martial law decree as a necessary measure to confront the Democratic Party’s obstruction of his agenda. The country’s political crisis shows no signs of abating, with the Constitutional Court facing crucial decisions on the fates of both Yoon and Han. The outcome of these deliberations will shape South Korea’s future political landscape and international standing.