South Korea Plans to Impeach Acting President
World
South Korea's main opposition party announced on Thursday that it would introduce a bill to impeach Acting President Han Duck-soo and hold a vote on Friday. This move could deepen the short-term constitutional crisis. The opposition claims Han is unable to uphold the constitution.
The Democratic Party had threatened impeachment unless Han immediately appointed three judges to fill vacancies in the Constitutional Court. On Thursday, Parliament approved the three candidates, but Han has not yet formally appointed them.
“It has become clear that Prime Minister and Acting President Han Duck-soo lacks the qualification or will to defend the Constitution,” said Democratic Party leader Park Chan-dae in a statement.
If Han is impeached, the Minister of Finance will assume the role of Acting President. The Democratic Party holds a parliamentary majority, but disagreements persist between parties and some constitutional experts over whether a simple majority or a two-thirds vote is needed to impeach an Acting President.
Earlier on Thursday, Han stated that he would not appoint the judges until political parties reached an agreement, arguing that making such appointments without consensus could harm the constitutional order.
Of the three proposed candidates, two were nominated by the Democratic Party and one by Han’s ruling People Power Party. The ruling party opposed the proposal, calling it divisive.
Han has been under pressure to make the appointments, but political parties have been unable to agree on whether he has the authority to do so as Acting President.
On Friday, the court will hold its first session to decide whether to remove or reinstate Yoon Suk-yeol from office.
Under the Constitution, six judges must agree to impeach a president for them to be officially removed. This means the current judges must unanimously vote to remove Yoon Suk-yeol.
“It has become clear that Prime Minister and Acting President Han Duck-soo lacks the qualification or will to defend the Constitution,” said Democratic Party leader Park Chan-dae in a statement.
If Han is impeached, the Minister of Finance will assume the role of Acting President. The Democratic Party holds a parliamentary majority, but disagreements persist between parties and some constitutional experts over whether a simple majority or a two-thirds vote is needed to impeach an Acting President.
Earlier on Thursday, Han stated that he would not appoint the judges until political parties reached an agreement, arguing that making such appointments without consensus could harm the constitutional order.
Of the three proposed candidates, two were nominated by the Democratic Party and one by Han’s ruling People Power Party. The ruling party opposed the proposal, calling it divisive.
Han has been under pressure to make the appointments, but political parties have been unable to agree on whether he has the authority to do so as Acting President.
On Friday, the court will hold its first session to decide whether to remove or reinstate Yoon Suk-yeol from office.
Under the Constitution, six judges must agree to impeach a president for them to be officially removed. This means the current judges must unanimously vote to remove Yoon Suk-yeol.
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