South Korea's political crisis deepened on Friday when the National Assembly voted decisively to impeach Acting President Han Duck-soo, just two weeks after President Yoon Suk Yeol was suspended from office for attempting to impose martial law. Han Duck-soo, who was serving as both Prime Minister and Acting President, saw his impeachment motion passed with 192 votes from lawmakers, more than the 151 required for it to succeed. With this unprecedented move, the country faces potential instability as it navigates its latest round of political upheaval.
The tumultuous events leading to Han’s impeachment began on December 3, when President Yoon declared martial law for merely six hours, resulting in mass protests across the nation. Parliament voted to impeach him on December 14, leading to Han stepping up as Acting President. Han's initial function was to stabilize the nation amid these crises, but dissent arose quickly as opposition lawmakers accused him of neglecting key constitutional duties. The political storm intensified after he blocked appointments for three judges, which the opposition claimed were needed to adjudicate Yoon's impeachment trial.
The impeachment vote was marred by chaos within the assembly, as members of Han's ruling People Power Party (PPP) vehemently protested the motion. Ruling party lawmakers deemed the vote invalid after National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik announced only simple majority support was necessary for the passage, contrary to the two-thirds majority required for the president's impeachment. This led to shouts of "invalid" and "abuse of power!" as the PPP lawmakers surrounded the speaker's podium.
Despite these protests, the opposition, led by the Democratic Party, stood firm, viewing the impeachment as necessary to restore public order. The opposition leader, Lee Jae-myung, labeled Han's refusal to appoint judges as acting for insurrection. He asserted, “The only way to normalize the country is to swiftly root out all the insurrection forces.” Public support appeared to favor the opposition after polls indicated widespread discontent with Yoon and his actions.
Han acknowledged the assembly's decision and stated, "I respect the decision of the National Assembly" and ``I will wait for the Constitutional Court's decision." Following this vote, Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok is expected to take on the role of Acting President until the outcome of the impeachment review emerges. The Constitutional Court has six months to decide if Han’s impeachment will be upheld or overturned, putting South Korea's immediate political future under scrutiny.
Further compounding the crisis, the economic climate is below optimal, with the South Korean won dropping to its lowest point against the dollar since the global financial crisis of 2008. The ruling party and opposition party have exchanged blame for the national turmoil and declining economic stability. Choi Sang-mok previously urged parliament to retract the impeachment motion, warning of severe economic repercussions, yet his pleas fell on deaf ears.
Analysts suggest this political stalemate may deter foreign investment and damage South Korea’s international reputation, building on the already shaky foundation after Yoon's martial law decree. The nation's prospects seem dire as this political saga continues to unfurl, casting doubt on its prestigious status as one of the world's most reliable democracies.
The political climate remains volatile as the nation waits on the Constitutional Court’s ruling. With citizens still reeling from the chaos of martial law, the government's future remains uncertain. Activists and citizens continue to rally for political reform and accountability, amplifying demands for substantial governance changes during this time of disarray.
