Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Israeli occupation forces fire on Shujaiyya neighborhood east of Gaza City.
Palestinian Prisoners' Information Office: Four of his ribs were broken
Palestinian Prisoners' Information Office: Marwan al-Barghouti lost consciousness after a brutal assault by Israeli occupation soldiers
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Israeli violations in the Gaza Strip have not stopped, and just a short while ago, fishermen came under fire from boats
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Israeli occupation forces carry out a large explosion in the eastern neighborhood of the town of Mays al-Jabal in southern Lebanon.
Israeli media: Israeli political leadership decides to open Rafah crossing “as planned” and transfer aid to Gaza Strip.
Palestinian media: Three Palestinians were killed after being targeted by Israeli drone fire in the al-Shujaiya neighborhood east of Gaza City
Nicolas Maduro: The Palestinian cause is the most sacred cause for humanity, and we propose sending teams of builders, farmers, and doctors to Gaza to help the people
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Lebanon: IOF infiltrate Khallet Wardeh towards the municipality in the town of Aita al-Shaab, south of Lebanon.
Leaders of the United States, Egypt, Qatar, and Turkey sign a ceasefire agreement in Gaza.

South Korean lawmakers impeach Acting President Han Duck-soo

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 27 Dec 2024 12:33
  • 2 Shares
3 Min Read

Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok will assume the role of acting president in Han's absence.

Listen
  • x
  • South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo speaks during a plenary session held relating to the martial law declaration, at the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, on December 11, 2024. (AP)
    South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo speaks during a plenary session relating to the martial law declaration, at the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, on December 11, 2024. (AP)

South Korean lawmakers impeached Acting President Han Duck-soo on Friday as the nation grapples with political instability stemming from his predecessor's shocking declaration of martial law.

Han became acting president after President Yoon Suk Yeol was suspended following a parliamentary vote on December 3, which was prompted by his decision to impose martial law.

However, opposition MPs called for Han's removal from office, citing his refusal to carry out the impeachment process against Yoon and bring him to justice, despite demands to do so.

"I announce that Prime Minister Han Duck-soo's impeachment motion has passed. Out of the 192 lawmakers who voted, 192 voted to impeach," stated National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik.

Counting for the impeachment was delayed as lawmakers from the ruling People's Power Party (PPP) protested in parliament after Woo declared that a simple majority in the 300-member legislature was sufficient to proceed with the impeachment.

PPP lawmakers began chanting angrily and many surged toward Woo, demanding his resignation. As a result, they refused to participate in the vote.

This marked the second impeachment of a South Korean head of state in just two weeks, further deepening the turmoil in the country's volatile political landscape. It was also the first impeachment of an acting president in South Korea's history.

Read next: South Korea's opposition pushes to impeach acting president

Related News

South Korea’s former first lady arrested after court issues warrant

Arrest warrant sought for South Korea's ex-first lady Kim

After the vote, PPP leader Kweon Seong-dong stated that Han "must continue to lead state affairs without yielding to the opposition's passage of the impeachment motion."

However, Han responded in a statement, saying he "respects the parliament's decision" and would await the Constitutional Court's ruling on whether to uphold it.

In its impeachment motion, the opposition accused Han of "intentionally avoiding the special investigation to probe those involved in the insurrection," adding that the acting president "has clearly stated his intention to reject the appointments of three Constitutional Court judges."

It emphasized that such actions were "in violation of a public official's duty to uphold the law... and serve the public."

Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok will assume the role of acting president in Han's absence. He had previously urged opposition lawmakers to refrain from pursuing the impeachment motion.

During a news conference with other cabinet members earlier on Friday, Choi said, "An impeachment motion against the acting authority is no different from an impeachment motion against the entire cabinet."

"Our economy and people's livelihoods, which are walking on thin ice in a national emergency, cannot bear the expansion of political uncertainty surrounding the acting authority," he added.

The central issue in the ongoing dispute revolves around the composition of the Constitutional Court, tasked with determining whether to uphold parliament's decision to impeach Yoon and, subsequently, Han.

Currently, the court operates with only six judges, three short of its full complement. Although it can proceed with the reduced bench, a single dissenting vote would result in Yoon's reinstatement.

The opposition had sought Han’s approval for three additional nominees to complete the nine-member bench, a request he declined, leaving both sides at an impasse.

  • Yoon Suk Yeol
  • Han Duck-soo
  • South Korea

Most Read

Iran strikes secret Israeli-US bunker under Tel Aviv high-rise

Tel Aviv high-rise struck by Iran hid Site 81, secret US-Israeli base

  • Politics
  • 14 Oct 2025
Palestinian journalist Saleh al-Jaafarawi in an undated image in Gaza, occupied Palestine (Social media)

Gaza Palestinian journalist Saleh al-Jafarawi killed by collaborators

  • Politics
  • 12 Oct 2025
drop site

New report details extensive Israeli arson in Gaza after ceasefire

  • Politics
  • 13 Oct 2025
Illustration of fists breaking shackles, representing the liberation of Palestinian detainees from Israeli prisons. (Illustrated by: AL Mayadeen English/Batoul Chamas)

4 prominent Palestinian detainees to be freed: Who are they?

  • Palestine
  • 13 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Members of the media wait for Palestinian prisoners and injured at the Rafah border crossing in Egypt, Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Rafah crossing to reopen for travelers from Gaza: Reuters

US President Donald Trump speaks during an event in the Oval Office at the White House, Wednesday, October 15, 2025, in Washington (AP)
Politics

'Israel' may resume Gaza war if Hamas breaches ceasefire, Trump says

Mourners attend the funeral of slain captive Captain Daniel Peretz at Mt. Herzl military cemetery in occupied al-Quds, Wednesday, October 15, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Al-Qassam Brigades hand over all living Israeli captives

Armored vehicles drive through a street during a government-organized march in support of President Nicolas Maduro in Caracas, Venezuela, Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2025 (AP)
Politics

US approves covert CIA action in Venezuela: Reports

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS