South Korea’s parliament has impeached acting President Han Duck-soo, following President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment two weeks earlier. The motion succeeded with 192 votes in favor, surpassing the required 151 votes. Han, who took over after Yoon’s impeachment, was accused of obstructing the completion of Yoon’s impeachment process, particularly by blocking the appointment of three Constitutional Court judges.
The impeachment vote saw dramatic protests from ruling party lawmakers, who questioned its validity. Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok will temporarily assume the role of acting president, though Han’s impeachment must still be confirmed by the Constitutional Court.
This is the first time an acting president in South Korea’s history has been impeached. The political instability began with President Yoon’s failed attempt to impose martial law in December, which led to widespread protests and legal consequences for his government. The country’s economic situation has worsened, with the South Korean won reaching its lowest point against the dollar since the 2008 global financial crisis.
