South Korean lawmakers on Friday voted to impeach acting President Han Deok-soo, marking the second time this month that a head of state has been ousted, following the brief imposition of martial law on Dec. 3. Han’s predecessor, President Yoon Seok-yeol, was impeached within a short period of time. 2 weeks ago. Mr. Han’s own impeachment has plunged South Korea into new political turmoil, shaking the foundations of its democratic success story and depreciating the Korean won.
According to South Korea’s Yonhap news agency, South Korean parliamentarians on Friday voted to impeach acting President Han Deok-soo, the second head of state to be removed this month after the brief imposition of martial law on Dec. 3.
According to South Korean law, Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok will be next in line to assume the role of acting president.
Mr. Han’s predecessor, President Yoon Seok-yeol, imposed six hours of martial law at the beginning of the month for the first time since a military coup in 1979, then declared it just two weeks ago, saying it was “necessary to protect order based on the constitution.” Impeached. “We will advocate for freedom and eradicate the shameful pro-North Korea and anti-national groups that are robbing the people of their freedom and happiness,” NBC News reported.
Opposition lawmakers filed a motion against Han on Thursday, citing the acting president’s reluctance to immediately appoint three judges to the Constitutional Court, which is preparing to begin deliberations on whether to support Yun’s impeachment or reinstatement. . Mr. Han’s ruling party, the Power People’s Party, argued that filling the vacancy on the Constitutional Court goes beyond Mr. Han’s duties as acting president. The Constitutional Court will hold the first hearing in Yun’s case on Friday, giving him 180 days to conclude the case.
Friday’s vote required a simple majority of 151, rather than two-thirds support, to pass. According to Yonhap News, translated by Google, Congress approved Han’s impeachment motion by a vote of 192-0, but ruling party members boycotted the vote. Han said he respected Friday’s decision, the agency reported.
Han’s own impeachment plunged South Korea into new political turmoil, shaking the foundations of its democratic success story, and the South Korean won fell 0.40% to 1,472.22 won after Friday’s news. South Korea’s Kospi fell 1.02% in Friday trading. Earlier on Friday, Choi, the finance minister, warned of the economic and security implications of Han’s impeachment resolution for Asia’s fourth-largest economy.
According to Yonhap News, Choi said, “In an era of global trade wars and national emergencies, the absence of a command center for national affairs will seriously damage our country’s credibility, economy, national security, and continuity of governance.” Deaf,” he said.
The International Monetary Fund predicts that South Korea’s gross domestic product will grow by 2.5% in 2024, and the inflation rate will also be 2.5% during this period.
