After Yoon, South Korea opposition vows to impeach acting president

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
24 Dec 2024 08:27

The main opposition party has established December 24 as the deadline for acting president Han Duck-soo to enact two special bills that would probe the suspended president's declaration of martial law.

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This handout photo taken on December 17, 2024, and released by the South Korean Prime Minister's Office shows South Korean Prime Minister and acting President Han Duck-soo speaking during a Cabinet meeting at the government complex in Seoul (AFP)

South Korea's opposition has announced its intention to impeach acting president Han Duck-soo in response to his refusal to enact special bills aimed at investigating his ousted predecessor.

The main opposition Democratic Party has established December 24 as the deadline for Han to enact two special bills that would probe suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol's brief declaration of martial law, as well as corruption allegations involving his wife, Kim Keon Hee.

The conservative leader had his powers revoked by parliament on December 14 following his short-lived martial law declaration made 11 days prior, a move that led to the country's most severe political turmoil in decades.

However, Han, who took over after Yoon, dismissed the opposition's request during a cabinet meeting on Tuesday, emphasizing the necessity for bipartisan consensus on the two bills.

Park Chan-dae, the opposition floor leader, remarked in a press briefing that Han's position "left us no other option but to interpret it as his intention to continue the insurrection by delaying proceedings."

"We will immediately initiate impeachment proceedings against Han."

This announcement was made just 10 days after Yoon was impeached in a vote led by the opposition, which has temporarily suspended him from his presidential responsibilities while awaiting a ruling from the Constitutional Court on the matter.

The opposition is advocating for the establishment of two independent investigative bodies to examine Yoon's martial law declaration and the controversies surrounding First Lady Kim, including alleged bribery.

Yoon is under investigation by a collaborative team that includes the police, the defense ministry, and anti-corruption officials.

The opposition claims it requires only a simple majority in the 300-member legislature to impeach Han, as that is the necessary threshold for a cabinet member.

Conversely, the ruling People Power Party contends that a two-thirds majority is essential since Han is acting as president at this time.