South Korea’s political crisis deepens as acting president impeached
Han said he accepted the outcome. “…In order to avoid further chaos and uncertainty, I will suspend my duties in accordance with relevant laws,” he said.
He added he would await the decision of the Constitutional Court to review the impeachment motion.
The motion led by opposition parties passed with 192 votes in favour and no opposed after the ruling People Power Party (PPP) boycotted the vote. PPP members surrounded the speaker’s podium, chanting that the vote was invalid and parliament had engaged in “tyranny”.
Swift trial
Also on Friday, the Constitutional Court held its first hearing to review whether to reinstate Yoon or remove him permanently from office. It has 180 days to reach a decision.
At a preparatory hearing, Justice Cheong Hyung-sik denied a request by Yoon’s lawyers for a postponement in proceedings to better prepare and said the court would move swiftly. The next hearing is due on January 3.
A lawyer representing Yoon later told reporters the impeached president planned to appear in person in future.
A demonstrator holds a placard featuring impeached South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol.Credit: Bloomberg
He was not required to attend Friday’s hearing. He has previously ignored court requests to submit documents as well as summons in a separate criminal case over his martial law declaration.
If he is ousted, a new presidential election would be held within 60 days.
Worst political crisis in decades
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Yoon shocked the country and the world with a late-night announcement on December 3 that he was imposing martial law to overcome political deadlock and root out “anti-state forces”.
Within hours, however, 190 lawmakers had defied the cordons of troops and police and voted against Yoon’s order. About six hours after his initial decree, Yoon rescinded it.
Events since the declaration have sparked South Korea’s gravest political crisis since 1987, when protests forced the ruling party of former military generals to accept a direct, popular vote to elect the president.
On Friday, prosecutors indicted former Defence Minister Kim Yong-hyun in the first move to put on trial an official accused of insurrection, Yonhap news said.
Reuters
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