The South Korean president was impeached by parliament

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South Korea’s opposition-controlled parliament has accused the acting president of plunging the country into political turmoil.

Lawmakers passed a motion on Friday to impeach Han Duck-soo, who is also the prime minister, after he resisted pressure to appoint three judges to fill vacancies on the constitutional court.

It is the first time a sitting president has been impeached South Korea and it comes less than two weeks after President Yoon Suk Yeol was suspended from his duties for inactivity.

Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok is now set to take over the presidency.

Friday’s vote came as the country’s legislature opened hearings on Yoon’s impeachment over his short-lived attempt to impose martial law this month.

The court must confirm whether or not to support the prosecution of Yoon, who remains suspended.

Growing political turmoil is adding to risks to the economy at a time when exports are slowing and the country is bracing for higher tariffs once Donald Trump becomes US president next month. , said analysts.

The South Korean won fell 0.5 percent against the dollar to its weakest level since 2009 on Friday, while the Kospi index fell 1 percent on heavy foreign selling.

“There are legal doubts about the conditions necessary to impeach a sitting president, but, regardless, impeaching Han could increase concerns about economic reliability abroad,” said Shin Yul, a professor of politics at Myongji University in Seoul.

Lee Jae-myung, leader of the main opposition Democratic Party, accused Han of “making a coup”.

Impeaching the prime minister requires a simple majority in parliament, but the ruling party said the election result was irrelevant, saying a two-thirds majority should be needed to impeach a sitting president, as was the case. like when Yoon was accused.

Han said he respected the parliament’s decision and would wait for the constitutional court’s decision on whether to confirm his impeachment.

In fact, seven justices are needed for the court to consider an impeachment, and at least six votes are needed to remove the president from office.

But opposition parties are keen to speed up the process as the court currently has only six members, and the terms of two of its judges will expire in April.

The Democratic Party has warned of a possible impeachment against cabinet members until they fill three vacancies in the council in a bid to lower the level of confirmation of Yoon’s removal from office.

The Constitutional Court has said it can deliberate without a full bench. The judges must deliver a verdict by June, although the deadline is not binding.

Yoon vowed to “never give up” and denied any wrongdoing. He is facing a third summons by the country’s anti-corruption ministry for questioning on allegations of treason and abuse of power.

Prosecutors on Friday also charged former defense minister Kim Yong-hyun for leading Yoon’s brief attempt to impose martial law.

despite the controversy over prosecuting Han.

The move came as Yoon’s lawyers attended the first constitutional court hearing on Yoon’s impeachment.

“Han’s prosecution will be dangerous the economy. The Democratic Party led by Lee Jae-myung is only concerned with seizing power and destroying the country,” said Kwon Sung-dong, PPP floor leader.

Before the impeachment vote on Han, Choi warned of low economic growth next year and the country’s economic confidence is hurt by this move. He added that his role as acting president will be “limited.”

“The economy and people’s livelihoods are on ice under the national emergency,” he said. take the position of president.”