South Korea's opposition pushes to impeach acting president

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
26 Dec 2024 09:21

Should Han be removed, Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok is expected to assume the role of acting president.

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South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo speaks during the joint statements in Seoul, South Korea, on Sunday, December 8, 2024. (AP)

South Korea's opposition party announced on Thursday that it had submitted an impeachment motion against acting president Han Duck-soo, accusing him of obstructing the process to finalize the impeachment of suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol.

The country has been embroiled in political turmoil since Yoon declared martial law on December 3. Parliament suspended Yoon from office on December 14, but the impeachment process requires a Constitutional Court ruling to be completed.

Han has refused to appoint three nominees needed to fill the nine-member Constitutional Court bench, effectively stalling the process. The Democratic Party, the opposition, is now seeking Han's removal as well.

"We have filed the motion… and will report it to the plenary session today," MP Park Sung-joon announced at the National Assembly. "We will put it to a vote tomorrow."

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The Democratic Party's floor leader, Park Chan-dae, criticized Han's actions, stating, "His refusal to formally appoint the three judges proves that he does not have the will or qualification to uphold the Constitution."

Without the appointments, all six current judges on the bench would need to unanimously agree to remove Yoon from office; a single dissenting vote would reinstate him.

Han has defended his stance, insisting he would only approve the appointments if the ruling People Power Party and the opposition reached an agreement on the nominees.

"The consistent principle embedded in our Constitution and laws is to refrain from exercising significant exclusive presidential powers, including the appointment of constitutional institutions," Han explained.

He added, "A consensus between the ruling and opposition parties in the National Assembly, representing the people, must first be reached."

If the impeachment motion against Han passes in Friday’s vote, it would mark the first time South Korea has impeached an acting president since transitioning to democracy. Should Han be removed, Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok is expected to assume the role of acting president.