South Korea’s political crisis deepened as the opposition-controlled National Assembly voted to impeach acting President Han Duck-soo, stripping him of his powers and duties until the Constitutional Court decides whether to dismiss or reinstate him. This move comes after President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment earlier on. The economic uncertainties and tarnished international image have increased due to the impeachments of the country’s top officials. The National Assembly passed the motion with a 192-0 vote, causing uproar among People Power Party lawmakers who boycotted the vote, claiming it was invalid and demanding the Speaker’s resignation.
Despite the protests, Han accepted the assembly’s decision respectfully and suspended his duties to avoid further confusion. This led to Deputy Prime Minister Choi Sang-mok taking over Han’s powers while boosting military readiness to prevent North Korea’s miscalculations. Han’s impeachment was triggered by his clashes with the opposition Democratic Party over various issues, such as filling vacant seats on the Constitutional Court and establishing an independent investigation into Yoon’s martial law decree. The Democratic Party’s demand for Han’s approval of three new justices for the Court bench has become a politically sensitive issue as it could impact Yoon’s impeachment ruling.
The opposition’s efforts to appoint new justices and pass pro-farmer bills clashed with Han’s decisions, leading to his impeachment motion accusing him of collaborating with Yoon’s martial law and obstructing the Court’s restoration. Yoon’s refusal to comply with authorities and the arrest of senior military commanders over the deployment of troops to the National Assembly have added to the political turmoil in South Korea. The martial law decree lasted only six hours but had wide-reaching impacts, causing alarms from neighboring countries and rattling markets. Yoon’s defense of the decree as a necessary warning to the Democratic Party has further fueled tensions in the country.
Han’s impeachment marks a significant turning point in South Korea’s political landscape, further worsening the already deep crisis caused by Yoon’s decisions. The power struggle between the ruling People Power Party and the opposition Democratic Party has led to increased uncertainty and instability. The ongoing investigations into Yoon’s alleged rebellion and abuse of power, as well as the resistance to the appointment of new justices, are key factors contributing to the political turmoil in the country. The implications of these events on South Korea’s economy and international relations are profound, highlighting the challenges facing the nation in the midst of a political crisis.
The military’s involvement and the heightened tensions with North Korea add another layer of complexity to the situation, as South Korea attempts to navigate through this turbulent political landscape. The Constitutional Court’s upcoming decisions on Yoon’s impeachment and the appointment of new justices will be crucial in determining the country’s future direction. Han’s acceptance of the assembly’s decision and his suspension of duties demonstrate a willingness to respect the legal processes and uphold the rule of law amid the turmoil. South Korea’s path forward remains uncertain, as it grapples with the fallout from the recent impeachment and martial law crisis.
