South Korean lawmakers have impeached the acting president as the country struggles to dispel the political turmoil caused by the former president’s declaration of martial law, which shocked the world.
“I would like to announce that the motion to impeach Prime Minister Han Deok-soo has been passed. Of the 192 members who voted, 192 voted in favor of impeachment,” National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-sik said on Friday.
Han Deok-soo took over as acting president from President Yun Seok-yong, who was suspended following the parliamentary vote on Dec. 3 to impose martial law.
However, opposition members also demanded Han’s removal from office, as he is also prime minister, as he refused demands to complete impeachment proceedings and put him on trial.
The impeachment tally was delayed after members of the ruling People’s Power Party (PPP) protested in parliament after Wu said that a simple majority in the 300-member parliament was needed to proceed with impeachment.
PPP lawmakers began angrily chanting, with many crowding towards Mr. Wu and demanding his resignation. They did not participate in the vote.
This is the second impeachment of South Korea’s head of state in just two weeks, adding turmoil to the country’s dynamic political landscape.
This was also the first impeachment of an acting president of South Korea.
