South Korea Impeaches President, Second in 2 Weeks

In a historic move, South Korea’s National Assembly has impeached Acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, marking the first time an acting president has been removed from office in the nation’s history.

The impeachment motion, passed unanimously with 192 votes in favor and none against, was initiated by the opposition-controlled assembly. Members of the ruling People Power Party boycotted the vote, declaring it invalid.

This development follows the earlier impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was suspended after declaring martial law on December 3, 2024. Han Duck-soo, who assumed the role of acting president following Yoon’s suspension, was accused of actively participating in the insurrection and refusing to appoint three justices to fill vacancies at the Constitutional Court.

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With Han’s impeachment, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok has assumed the role of acting president. In his new capacity, Choi has urged the military to maintain heightened vigilance against potential threats from North Korea amid the ongoing political turmoil.

The Constitutional Court, currently operating with only six members due to the unfilled vacancies, is expected to deliberate on the impeachments of both Yoon and Han. A decision is anticipated within six months. The court requires a minimum of six affirmative votes to uphold an impeachment, a threshold that may be challenging to meet given the current composition.

The political instability has had immediate economic repercussions. The South Korean won has fallen to its lowest level against the U.S. dollar since 2009, and the benchmark Kospi index has experienced significant declines. Analysts warn that prolonged uncertainty could further undermine investor confidence and economic performance.

As the nation grapples with this unprecedented political crisis, the international community watches closely, concerned about the implications for regional stability and economic health.