South Korea’s Acting President Impeached Amid Political Turmoil

South Korea’s National Assembly has impeached Acting President Han Duck-soo, deepening the country’s escalating political crisis.

The motion to remove Han from office was approved with 192 votes, exceeding the required majority in the 300-seat parliament. Han, who also serves as prime minister, assumed the role of acting president following the December 14, 2024, impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol.

Yoon’s impeachment stemmed from his controversial declaration of martial law earlier this month, which ignited mass protests and heightened tensions nationwide.

The Democratic Party, which holds a parliamentary majority, spearheaded Han’s impeachment, accusing him of obstructing the appointment of three Constitutional Court judges. These appointments are critical to advancing the legal proceedings tied to Yoon’s impeachment.

Han has acknowledged the Assembly’s decision and expressed his readiness to await the Constitutional Court’s verdict. This marks the first time in South Korea’s history that an acting president has been impeached.

Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok is expected to step in as acting president. However, Choi’s opposition to Yoon’s martial law declaration adds further complexity to the nation’s volatile political landscape.

The ongoing crisis has taken a toll on South Korea’s economy, with the won dropping to its lowest level against the dollar since 2009, and the Kospi stock index also declining.

The Constitutional Court, currently short of judges due to the unfilled appointments, now faces the challenge of reviewing the impeachments of both Yoon and Han. With only six justices in place, delays are anticipated, as seven are typically required to proceed.

Nationwide protests continue, with demonstrators demanding Yoon’s arrest and a comprehensive investigation into his martial law declaration, leaving South Korea’s future increasingly uncertain.