Fri Dec 27 05:57:40 UTC 2024: ## South Korea Faces Second Impeachment Attempt in Two Weeks
**Seoul, South Korea** – South Korea’s political turmoil deepened on Friday, December 27, 2024, with the opposition Democratic Party launching impeachment proceedings against acting President Han Duck-soo. This follows the earlier impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol on December 3rd for imposing martial law.
The impeachment motion accuses Mr. Han, who is also Prime Minister, of obstructing the investigation into the martial law declaration and refusing to appoint three judges to the Constitutional Court, which will decide on Mr. Yoon’s impeachment. The opposition argues that Mr. Han’s actions violate his duty to uphold the law.
Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok, who would become acting president if Mr. Han is impeached, pleaded against the move, warning of further economic instability. He stated that the impeachment would negatively impact the already fragile economy.
At the heart of the dispute is the composition of the Constitutional Court. With three vacant judgeships, a single dissenting vote could reinstate President Yoon. Mr. Han refuses to appoint new judges without a consensus between the ruling and opposition parties, creating a deadlock.
The opposition claims Mr. Han’s refusal is unconstitutional, while Mr. Han argues he is following constitutional principles by seeking a bipartisan agreement before making key appointments.
The political crisis has severely impacted the South Korean economy, with the won plummeting to its lowest level in nearly 16 years. The ongoing uncertainty is causing investors to shy away from the currency. If successful, this would mark South Korea’s second impeachment in under two weeks and the first of an acting president.
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