South Korea Impeaches Second President in Two Weeks

The South Korean parliament voted Friday to impeach Acting President Han Duck-soo, just days after his predecessor Yoon Suk Yeol was impeached over declaring a short-lived martial law.

The liberal opposition bloc led by the Democratic Party, which controls the country's National Assembly, voted in unison to oust Han for failing to immediately fill three vacancies in the nine-member Constitutional Court. The appointment of justices could have a direct impact on treason charges against Yoon, whose fate will be decided next year.

Why It Matters

At least six Constitutional Court judges will need to support the decision to formally remove Yoon, who was impeached by the South Korean parliament on December 14 following his surprise imposition of martial law on December 3. The same justices will now also review the case against Han, who has been stripped of his powers with immediate effect.

Han and others in his conservative People Power Party had repeatedly rejected calls to appoint new justices, saying such a move in an acting capacity would first require bipartisan consensus. Opposition lawmakers accused Han of using it as a stalling tactic.

Woo Won-shik, the parliamentary speaker who backed Han's impeachment motion on Thursday, described the refusal as an infringement on the legislative chamber's authority.

What To Know

The National Assembly voted 192-0 to remove Han, while legislators from the governing party boycotted the vote and called for Woo's resignation.

Han's impeachment leaves South Korea—a major U.S. security treaty ally—in the hands of Acting President Choi Sang-mok, who was already serving in as deputy prime minister for economics as well as finance minister.

The weekslong political crisis engulfing the Asian nation has already shaken financial markets and caused disquiet in neighboring capitals. In the past month, South Korean diplomats have moved to reassure the U.S., China, Japan and others that the turmoil will not disrupt existing political relations.

What People Are Saying

Choi Sang-mok, South Korea's acting president, said in a letter to the nation: "The government will do its best to ensure national stability."

Choi convened his National Security Council and told the country's military to be alert to possible provocations by North Korea. "Readiness posture should be maintained to prevent North Korea from making any rash moves and uphold a firm security stance based on the strong South Korea-U.S. alliance," he said.

John Lee, editor of the specialist website Korea Pro, said on X: "Acting President Han Duck-soo has been impeached. Next in line, we have Choi Sang-mok. Choi will hold three positions simultaneously—acting president, deputy prime minister and finance minister."

What Happens Next

Yoon's martial law decree, which lasted just six hours, sparked massive protests in Seoul, where hundreds of thousands took to the streets calling for his removal and arrest. South Korea's defense minister was arrested in the aftermath.

Critics argue that Yoon's actions violated constitutional limits on presidential authority, and multiple agencies—the police, the anti-corruption bureau and the Defense Ministry—are pursuing charges of rebellion and abuse of power against him.

Yoon, 64, has denied the accusation and has so far declined to cooperation with prosecutors, refusing their summons orders.

South Korea's Constitutional Court, which has so far held one preliminary hearing, will hold its second trial on Yoon's impeachment on January 3.

Update 12/27/24, 5:30 a.m. ET: This breaking news story was updated with additional information.