Opposition Party Moves to Impeach Acting President
SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — Political turmoil dramatically escalates in South Korea, with the main opposition Democratic Party vowing to impeach acting President Han Duck-soo after he refused to endorse independent probes into impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol and his wife despite an opposition-set deadline.
The Growing Crisis
The ruling Democratic Party controls the National Assembly of South Korea, and it has accused Han of obstruction of critical bills and also of refusing to take action on public demands for motions to appoint special prosecutors to investigate Yoon's widely criticized declaration of martial law on December 3, among other corruption allegations involving his wife.
Han, South Korea's second-highest official, assumed presidential powers after Yoon's impeachment. If he is impeached, the finance minister would step in, further complicating the nation’s political landscape.
Key Points of Contention
The opposition has criticized Han for:
- Vetoing Opposition Bills: Han has rejected several Democratic Party-sponsored bills, including one addressing agricultural reforms.
- Delayed Appointments to the Constitutional Court: Han has yet to make the appointments for three vacant seats within the Constitutional Court, the court that is supposed to review Yoon's case. 3. Stalling Investigations: Han also refuses to approve bills for special prosecutors who will probe Yoon and his wife.
The ruling Democratic Party floor leader Park Chan-dae was categorical: there is no room for negotiation over Han's actions. He even warned that Han could be remembered as a "puppet" of the impeached president.
Implications Beyond
The unfolding crisis has received high-profile attention globally and stirred apprehension among regional neighbors regarding South Korean stability. The declaration by President Yoon, however, included martial law: sending in troops and police into the National Assembly; the event has caused an arrest thus far of the Defense Minister, Police Chief, and other senior Military Commanders.
Making the issue more complex, there are ambiguities over the impeachment of an acting president. While the majority of officials can be impeached by a simple majority, a president can only be impeached with a two-thirds majority. This is bipartisan support that the Democratic Party would have to get.
A verdict by the Constitutional Court can take as long as six months and if Yoon's impeachment is upheld, the country has to go to a national election within two months to elect a new president.
The ruling People Power Party has branded the impeachment efforts "politics of intimidation" by the opposition. But the result is far from certain with Democratic Party members holding 170 out of 300 seats in the National Assembly.
Conclusion
South Korea stands at a crossroads amidst ever-increasing political tension in this country. If Acting President Han Duck-soo's possible impeachment would throw the nation into uncharted waters, then this nation, along with several neighbors, begins to wonder what lies ahead for it.
For further updates in regard to this unprecedented political drama, stay tuned to