The vote was the second major impeachment in two weeks after President Yoon’s ill-fated martial law bid set off turmoil. The country’s currency has plunged.The New York Times reports that South Korea’s political turmoil continues as lawmakers voted to impeach the country’s acting president, Han Duck-soo, on Friday. This is the second major impeachment in just two weeks, following the ousting of President Yoon Suk Yeol by the opposition in the National Assembly.
The political vacuum in South Korea began when President Yoon Suk Yeol briefly put the country under military rule earlier this month, shocking the nation. He was impeached and suspended on December 14th, with Prime Minister Han Duck-soo stepping in as acting president. However, opposition lawmakers have now voted to impeach Mr. Han as well, making him the first interim leader to be impeached in South Korea’s history.
This leaves South Korea without a strong elected leader to handle important issues such as North Korea’s nuclear threats and economic challenges. The political uncertainty has also caused a decline in business and consumer confidence, and the country’s currency, the won, has plunged.
According to Jeong Hoiok, a professor of political science at Myoungji University in Seoul, the latest impeachment “suggests to the world the possibility that Korea’s political unrest could be prolonged and worsen.” This could have a negative impact on the country’s diplomacy and economy, which have been built up over time.
The next in line to be named acting president is the finance minister and deputy prime minister, Choi Sang-mok. However, like Mr. Han, he also does not have an electoral mandate. The impeachment process against President Yoon will continue, and The New York Times will provide updates on each stage.
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