The South Korean National Assembly made history on December 27, 2023, by impeaching Acting President Han Dok Su, just weeks after he took office following the removal of former President Yoon Suk Yeol.
The decisive vote saw 192 members of parliament support the impeachment, easily surpassing the necessary simple majority of 151 votes. The ruling party, which had previously suffered setbacks, chose to boycott the vote, leading to speculation about their internal conflicts and the shifting political dynamics within the country.
Speaker of the National Assembly, Woo Won-sik, explained during the session, "For the impeachment, we need a simple majority — at least 151 votes." The vote reflected the growing frustrations among opposition parties, particularly the Democratic Party, which accused Han of neglecting pressing judicial appointments.
Han was criticized for his refusal to appoint three judges to the Constitutional Court, which is tasked with deciding on significant legal matters, including the pending impeachment case against former President Yoon Suk Yeol. This refusal not only hindered judicial processes but raised serious concerns about governance during this turbulent period.
South Korea is currently experiencing significant political turmoil, sparked earlier this month when Yoon declared martial law, citing internal threats from North Korea. This unprecedented action, which allowed military trials and enabled censorship, was met with massive public uproar and was swiftly rescinded, resulting in Yoon’s impeachment on December 14. Following this, Han Dok Su was appointed as acting head of state.
Political analysts had previously noted the dysfunction within the right-wing ‘People Power Party,’ Yoon's political home, which faced criticism for their approach to governance and strategy. The opposition capitalized on this discord, pushing for election reforms and calling for new leadership.
After the motion to impeach Han passed, he commented, "I respect this decision and will wait for the Constitutional Court's verdict." This statement highlighted the gravity of the situation as South Korea now finds itself without executive leadership, creating uncertainty about future governance.
This historic action constitutes the first impeachment of a temporary head of state, marking a significant moment in South Korea's democratic processes. Reports indicate the necessity for the Constitutional Court to make timely decisions on these matters, especially as both Han and Yoon incur scrutiny over their respective actions.
Meanwhile, as the impeachment sweeps through the political fabric of the nation, the Democratic Party is pushing for expedited presidential elections, believing they are poised for success with their leading candidate. The political stakes remain high, as the country teeters on the edge of reform and the potential restructuring of its leadership.
The current crisis reflects broader themes within South Korean society about governance, accountability, and the ever-present tension between the ruling and opposition parties. Analysts continue to watch closely as developments on the ground may reverberate throughout the region, influencing public perception of democracy and political integrity.
