An opposition-led motion to impeach acting President Han Duck-soo has been passed further deepening the divide between rival political parties at the parliament.
The motion passed with 192 votes in favor amid a ruling People Power Party boycott. This marks the first impeachment motion against an acting president in South Korea’s constitutional history. Ahead of the vote, there has been a debate over the number of votes required to pass the motion. The ruling People Power Party argues that Han’s impeachment should be treated as a presidential impeachment, which requires the support of two-thirds of lawmakers, or 200 votes out of 300, while the DP argues that only a majority of 151 votes in favor are needed.
Ahead of the vote, Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik addressed the issue saying that it will adopt a majority of 151 votes rule regarding the motion. Right after Woo’s remark, PPP lawmakers immediately protested, calling it invalid then left the plenary session.
The vote follows a day after the main opposition Democratic Party moved forward with the impeachment process against Han, after he announced that he would delay appointing justices until the rival parties reached an agreement.
The DP cited Han’s refusal to appoint Constitutional Court justices, his support for President Yoon Suk Yeol’s martial law imposition, and his rejection of two special counsel bills targeting Yoon and first lady Kim Keon Hee as key reasons for pushing for his impeachment.
Ahead of the vote, the PPP decided, through a party consensus, to vote against the impeachment motion if the required number of votes in favor is set to two-thirds of lawmakers. However, if a majority of 151 votes is adopted, the party would boycott the vote. And, as a result, the PPP did so. Pointing to the rising exchange rate, PPP Acting Chairman and Floor Leader Kweon Seong-dong criticized the DP on Thursday morning for ignoring the economic and diplomatic crises facing the country.
Kweon Seong-dong: “The impeachment of Acting President Han Duck-soo is not for the country or the people, but for DP leader Lee Jae-myung’s own benefit. If the DP truly cares about the country and the people, it should withdraw the impeachment motion.”
Kweon also emphasized that none of the five points in the impeachment motion violate the constitution or any laws. Meanwhile, main opposition leader Lee Jae-myung reaffirmed the party’s intention to impeach Han.
“The exchange rate fluctuated due to the martial law declaration, spiked after the first impeachment motion was rejected, Yoon’s public address, and Han’s refusal to appoint Constitutional Court judges. We will unite all our efforts to remove Yoon from office, eliminate his supporters, and completely end this insurrection.”
As the motion has passed, Han will be suspended from his duties, and Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok will take over as acting president.
Source: Arirang News
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