South Korea's leadership in turmoil: Finance minister steps in
South Korea's Finance Minister Choi Sang Mok has assumed the responsibilities of the head of state. Earlier, Parliament voted to impeach the acting president, Han Duk Su, who served for just two weeks. Preparations are also underway for the impeachment of Jun Suk Jeol, who declared martial law for several hours.
The political crisis in South Korea continues. Within two weeks, three individuals have served as the head of state. On 14 December, the motion for the impeachment of the former president, 64-year-old Jun Suk Jeol, was passed. On 3 December, he declared martial law in the country. Although lifted after a few hours, Jeol was suspended from office.
South Korea: impeachment and a new head of state
His duties were taken over by Prime Minister Han Duk Su, who found himself in political trouble within just two weeks. The main opposition Democratic Party, which controls Parliament, decided to indict Han because he did not promptly appoint three judges to the vacancies at the Constitutional Court.
According to the Yonhap agency, the vote took place amidst loud protests from members of the ruling People Power Party (PWP), who began chanting that the vote was invalid and accused Parliament of "tyranny."
Han, who heads the government, announced that he would resign from the post of acting president to avoid further political chaos. Prime Minister Han served as the head of state from 14 December. A total of 192 deputies in the 300-member Parliament voted for his dismissal. According to the law, Finance Minister Choi Sang Mok took over the duties of head of state.
The former president faces the death penalty
According to media reports, Han's dismissal will deepen the serious political crisis that has been ongoing in South Korea since the beginning of December. Even before the parliamentary vote was announced, the South Korean won fell to its lowest level against the dollar in nearly 16 years on Friday morning (1 dollar was worth approximately 1,474 won).
On Friday, the Constitutional Court held its first preparatory hearing on the impeachment case of the suspended president. During the proceedings, the court will decide whether to approve his dismissal or reinstate him as the head of state within 180 days from the acceptance of the impeachment motion by lawmakers, which occurred on 14 December. The 64-year-old Jun is under investigation for political rebellion, a crime that is punishable by death. The politician is ignoring calls for questioning.
