Fri Dec 27 04:18:10 UTC 2024: **South Korea Faces Deepening Political Crisis as Impeachment Bid Targets Acting President**
SEOUL, South Korea – South Korea is teetering on the brink of further political turmoil as the main opposition Democratic Party (DP) pushes for the impeachment of acting President Han Duck-soo. The National Assembly is set to vote on Friday on the motion, escalating the crisis sparked by suspended President Yoon Suk-yeol’s controversial declaration of martial law on December 4th.
The DP accuses Han of complicity in Yoon’s actions, citing his refusal to appoint three justices to the Constitutional Court, which will adjudicate Yoon’s impeachment. The court, currently short-handed, needs a unanimous decision to remove Yoon from office. Yoon himself faces criminal investigation for insurrection and abuse of power.
The DP’s impeachment bid has ignited a fierce debate over the required threshold for removing an acting president. While the DP argues a simple majority suffices, the ruling People Power Party (PPP) insists a two-thirds majority is necessary. The DP currently holds enough seats to impeach Han with support from minor opposition parties and independents, but a few defections from the PPP could prevent it.
The political instability has sent shockwaves through the South Korean economy. The won plunged to its lowest level against the US dollar since the 2009 global financial crisis, reflecting investor anxieties. Deputy Prime Minister Choi Sang-mok warned that impeaching Han would severely damage the already fragile economy.
The Constitutional Court’s first hearing on Yoon’s impeachment is also scheduled for Friday, with a potential ruling six months away. The outcome of both votes will significantly shape South Korea’s future, leaving the nation in a state of unprecedented uncertainty. If Han is impeached, Deputy Prime Minister Choi Sang-mok would assume the acting presidency.
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