South Korea’s parliament has voted to impeach acting President Han Duck-soo, escalating the political crisis that began after the removal of his predecessor. Han’s impeachment, passed on Friday with a unanimous 192-0 vote in the National Assembly, means he will lose his presidential powers and duties until the Constitutional Court determines whether to uphold or reverse the decision.
The motion passed without support from lawmakers of the ruling People Power Party, who boycotted the vote and protested near the speaker’s podium, labeling the vote “invalid” and calling for the resignation of Assembly Speaker Woo Won Shik.
This development follows the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk Yeol earlier this month. Yoon’s controversial declaration of martial law, the first in South Korea in over 40 years, created significant political upheaval, temporarily halted diplomatic efforts, and disrupted financial markets. The martial law, which lasted only six hours, was lifted after parliament voted unanimously to overturn it.
Yoon had sent troops and police to block the parliamentary vote on the decree, but after it was rejected, the military presence withdrew. He faced two impeachment votes in early December, with the second resulting in his ouster. The Constitutional Court is still reviewing the legality of Yoon’s impeachment.
