South Korea's Leadership Chaos

And now, South Korean lawmakers have 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 country.

 

This deepens political turmoil, threatens the country’s currency and shakes confidence in its economy. 

 

The won, which plunged Friday to its lowest level against the dollar since 2009, has been in near-constant decline since Yoon Suk Yeol’s failed attempt to scrap civilian rule on December 03. Business and consumer confidence in Asia’s fourth-largest economy have also taken their biggest hit since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, according to figures released by the Bank of Korea.

 

Han (left) had taken over just fifteen days ago from Yoon Suk Yeol, who was suspended following a parliament vote over his move to impose martial law. However, opposition MPs who control parliament, 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.

 

Korea's Constitutional Court typically consist of a nine-member bench. At least six judges must uphold Yoon's impeachment in order for the decision to be upheld. Given that there are currently only six judges on the bench – meaning a single rejection would save Yoon from being removed – the opposition had wanted to appoint three additional nominees. And Han blocked their appointments.

 

A total of 192 lawmakers voted for his impeachment, more than the 151 votes needed for it to succeed. Still, the vote was passed in chaotic scenes as the Han and Yoon's ruling People's Power Party (PPP) lawmakers protested after National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik declared only a simple majority was required for the impeachment to pass. [Note: This meant that, unlike the 200 votes required for Yoon's impeachment, no votes from ruling lawmakers would be needed this time for Han to be impeached in parliament].

 

Finance minister Choi Sang-mok (right) is set to replace Han as acting president. Like Yoon, Han's impeachment will need to be confirmed by the constitutional court, which have 180 days to rule on whether the impeachment should be upheld.

 

Han announced on Friday, "I respect the decision of the National Assembly". He also said that he would suspend his duties to "not add to the chaos".