Thu Dec 26 06:47:11 UTC 2024: ## South Korea’s Opposition to Impeach Acting President
**Seoul, South Korea –** South Korea’s main opposition Democratic Party announced plans to impeach acting President Han Duck-soo on Friday, December 27, 2024, escalating the country’s ongoing constitutional crisis. The move follows a short-lived period of martial law declared by President Yoon Suk Yeol on December 3rd, which led to Yoon’s impeachment by Parliament on December 14th.
The impeachment push stems from Mr. Han’s refusal to appoint three justices to the Constitutional Court, despite Parliament approving their nominations on December 26th. The court is currently hearing the impeachment case against President Yoon. The Democratic Party argues that Mr. Han’s inaction demonstrates a lack of commitment to upholding the constitution.
Mr. Han maintains that appointing the justices without political consensus would damage constitutional order. The disagreement centers on the breakdown of nominees, with two chosen by the Democratic Party and one by Mr. Han’s ruling People Power Party. The ruling party opposes this arrangement.
The impending impeachment vote has sparked debate over the required majority. While the Democratic Party holds a parliamentary majority, disagreement exists over whether a simple majority or a two-thirds majority is constitutionally necessary to impeach an acting president. If impeached, the Finance Minister would assume the acting presidency.
Meanwhile, the Constitutional Court is scheduled to hold its first hearing in President Yoon’s impeachment trial on December 27th. A unanimous vote among the current justices is needed to remove Mr. Yoon from office, although the court has stated it can deliberate with a less-than-full bench. President Yoon has yet to submit the legal documents requested by the court. His continued defiance has drawn criticism and calls for his arrest. The situation remains highly volatile and threatens to further destabilize South Korea’s political landscape.
First Piper 