Political turmoil: South Korea’s leadership sees swift changes
South Korea's Finance Minister, Choi Sang Mok, has assumed the responsibilities of head of state after parliament voted to impeach acting president Han Duk Su, who served for only two weeks. Preparations are also underway for the impeachment of Jun Suk Jeol, who declared martial law for several hours.
Political crisis in South Korea: Three individuals have served as head of state within two weeks. On December 14, the motion to impeach former president, 64-year-old Jun Suk Jeol, was approved. On December 3, he declared martial law in the country. Although lifted after a few hours, Jeol was suspended from office.
South Korea: Impeachment and a new head of state
Prime Minister Han Duk Su took over his duties, but he encountered political challenges within just two weeks. The main opposition Democratic Party, which controls the parliament, decided to indict Han for not immediately appointing three judges to the Constitutional Court vacancies.
According to the Yonhap News Agency, the vote took place amid loud protests from members of the ruling People Power Party (PWP), who chanted that the vote was invalid and accused parliament of "tyranny."
Han, who leads the government, announced that he would step down from the position of acting president to prevent further political instability. Prime Minister Han served as the head of state from December 14. A total of 192 members in the 300-member parliament voted for his dismissal. According to the law, Finance Minister Choi Sang Mok assumed the responsibilities of head of state.
The former president faces the death penalty
According to media reports, Han's dismissal will exacerbate the severe political crisis that has plagued South Korea since the beginning of December. Even before the parliamentary vote was announced, the South Korean won fell to its lowest level against the dollar in nearly 16 years on Friday morning (1 dollar was worth 1,474 won).
On Friday, the Constitutional Court held its first preparatory hearing on the impeachment case of the suspended president. During the proceedings, the court will decide whether to approve his dismissal or reinstate him as head of state within 180 days from the acceptance of the impeachment motion by lawmakers, which occurred on December 14. The 64-year-old Jun is under investigation for political rebellion, a crime that carries the death penalty. The politician is ignoring calls for questioning.
