South Korean lawmakers have impeached Acting President Han Duck-soo, stating he was not working fast enough to complete the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk-yeol.
Voice of America reported that the impeachment motion argued that Han was “intentionally avoiding the special investigation to probe those involved in the insurrection and has clearly stated his intention to reject the appointments of three Constitutional Court judges.” These actions were “in violation of a public official’s duty to uphold the law… and serve the public.”
National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik said, “I announce that Prime Minister Han Duck-soo’s impeachment motion has passed. Out of the 192 lawmakers who voted, 192 voted to impeach.”
Members of Yoon and Han’s People Power Party (PPP) delayed the impeachment vote by demanding Woo’s resignation, protesting the lack of a two-thirds majority. Woo said the vote needed only a simple majority.
Choi Sang-mok, the Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister, will become acting president.
“Minimising governmental turmoil is of utmost importance at this moment,” Choi said after his appointment, according to Barron’s. He added that “the government will also dedicate all its efforts to overcoming this period of turmoil.”
Lawmakers put forth a motion to impeach former President Yoon Suk-Yeol after he declared martial law.
“President Yoon Suk Yeol’s martial law declaration was a clear violation of the constitution. It didn’t abide by any requirements to declare it,” the Democratic Party said in a statement. “His martial law declaration was originally invalid and a grave violation of the constitution. It was a grave act of rebellion and provides perfect grounds for his impeachment.”