South Korea’s opposition yesterday said that it has filed an impeachment motion against Acting South Korean President Han Duck-soo, in an escalating row over the composition of the South Korean Constitutional Court, which is to decide whether to remove his predecessor from office.
The nation fell into a political crisis when South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol, currently suspended, declared martial law on Dec. 3.
Yoon was stripped of his duties by parliament on Dec. 14 over the declaration, but a court ruling upholding the decision by lawmakers is necessary to complete the impeachment process.
Photo: AP
However, the court is short of three judges. While it can go ahead with its six members on the bench, a single dissenting vote would reinstate Yoon.
The opposition wants Han to approve three more nominees to fill the nine-member bench, something that he has so far refused to do, essentially leaving both sides in a deadlock.
The opposition Democratic Party said that the acting president should be impeached, too.
“We have filed the motion ... and will report it to the plenary session today,” Democratic Party member Park Sung-joon told reporters at the South Korean National Assembly of the action against Han. “We will put it to a vote tomorrow [today].”
Han’s refusal to appoint the three judges proves that he “does not have the will or qualification to uphold the constitution,” Democratic Party floor leader Park Chan-dae told reporters.
Han has said that he would certify the judges’ appointments only if his ruling People Power Party and the opposition reach a compromise on the nominees.
“The consistent principle embedded in our constitution and laws is to refrain from exercising significant exclusive presidential powers, including the appointment of constitutional institutions,” he said. “A consensus between the ruling and opposition parties in the National Assembly, representing the people, must first be reached.”
If the opposition passes the impeachment motion against Han, it would mark the first time South Korea has impeached an acting president.
In Han’s place, South Korean Minister of Finance Choi Sang-mok would step in as acting president.
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