South Korean lawmakers vote to impeach acting President Han Duck-soo

NEWS WIRES

27 December 2024 at 3:09 am·1-min read

A majority of South Korean lawmakers in the country's opposition-dominated parliament voted to impeach acting President Han Duck-soo on Friday. The country's new acting president, finance minister Choi Sang-mok, said that he would do all he could to end the country's political turmoil.

South Korean lawmakers impeached acting president Han Duck-soo on Friday, sinking the country deeper into a political crisis triggered by his predecessor's martial law declaration that shocked the world.

Han had taken over just two weeks ago from President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was suspended following a parliament vote over his move to impose martial law on December 3.

However, opposition MPs have now also stripped Han – who was also prime minister – of his presidential duties, arguing that he had refused demands to complete Yoon's impeachment process and to bring him to justice.

"I announce that Prime Minister Han Duck-soo's impeachment motion has passed. Out of the 192 lawmakers who voted, 192 voted to impeach," said National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik.

The vote was passed in chaotic scenes as the Han and Yoon's ruling People's Power Party (PPP) lawmakers protested in parliament after Woo said only a simple majority was required for the impeachment to pass.

PPP lawmakers began chanting angrily, with many MPs rushing towards Woo, demanding that he resign. They did not take part in the vote.

(AFP)

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