South Korean politicians impeach second president in 14 days

The country is sinking deeper into political crisis as it moves onto its third prime minister in two weeks.

South Korean politicians impeached acting president Han Duck-soo on Friday, just two weeks after his predecessor was suspended over a martial law declaration that shocked the world.

On Friday, opposition MPs stripped Han of his duties, arguing that he refused demands to complete the impeachment of former president Yoon Suk Yeol, who was ousted in December 14 over allegations of insurrection.

“I announce that Prime Minister Han Duck-soo’s impeachment motion has passed. Out of the 192 politicians who voted, 192 voted to impeach,” said national assembly speaker Woo Won-shik.

Han Duck-soo after his impeachment motion was passed on December 27. Picture: Yonhap/AFP

The ruling People’s Power Party (PPP) caused a scene, protesting that the speaker said only 151 out of 300 votes would be needed to pass the impeachment bill, instead of the 200 that were needed to impeach former President Yoon.

PPP politicians began chanting angrily, with many rushing towards Woo, demanding that he resign.

PPP leader Kweon Seong-dong said after the vote that Han “must continue to lead state affairs without yielding to the opposition’s passage of the impeachment motion”.

However, Han said in a statement that he “respects the parliament’s decision” and would wait for the Constitutional Court’s subsequent decision on whether to uphold it.

People Power Party politicians (bottom) argue with speaker Woo Won-shik during the impeachment vote of acting president Han Duck-soo. Picture: Jung Yeon-je/AFP

As for who will take Han’s role, finance minister Choi Sang-mok is set to take on the position of both the prime minister and acting president of South Korea.

“Minimising governmental turmoil is of utmost importance at this moment,” Choi said in an address shortly after his appointment as acting leader, adding that “the government will also dedicate all its efforts to overcoming this period of turmoil.”

At the heart of the backlash against Han was his refusal to appoint additional judges to the Constitutional Court, which will decide whether to uphold parliament’s decision to impeach Yoon, and now Han as well.

The court is currently short of three judges. While it can go ahead with its six members on the bench, a single dissenting vote would reinstate Yoon.

The opposition wanted Han to approve three more nominees to fill the nine-member bench, which he had refused to do, leaving both sides in deadlock.

Han’s refusal to formally appoint more judges “revealed his true colours”, said Democratic Party politician Jo Seoung-lae.

South Korea's finance minister Choi Sang-mok is now the acting president. Picture: Yonhap/AFP

The refusal “is a direct challenge to the Constitution and the law”, said Jo. The opposition said in its impeachment motion that Han was “intentionally avoiding the special investigation to probe those involved in the insurrection and has clearly stated his intention to reject the appointments of three Constitutional Court judges”.

Such actions, it said, were “in violation of a public official’s duty to uphold the law … and serve the public”.

Han had said he wanted his PPP and the opposition to reach a compromise on the nominees.

Choi Sang-mok promised on December 27 to overcome the political turmoil that has gripped the country since the short-lived imposition of martial law early this month. Picture: Yonhap/AFP

“The consistent principle embedded in our constitution and laws is to refrain from exercising significant exclusive presidential powers, including the appointment of constitutional institutions,” he argued.

The United States affirmed its “iron-clad” commitment to South Korea, a key strategic ally against North Korea and China, after news of Han’s impeachment.

“We reiterate our support for the Republic of Korea (ROK), its citizens and democratic processes, and the rule of law,” Pentagon spokesman Major Pete Nguyen said in a statement, referring to the country by its official name.

A US State Department spokesman said Washington is “ready to work with acting president Choi and the ROK government”.

South Korea’s Constitutional Court held its first preliminary hearing on the validity of Yoon’s impeachment on Friday, despite the latest controversy, with the suspended president’s legal team attending.

Originally published as South Korean politicians impeach second president in 14 days