South Korea is in the midst of a major political crisis. On Friday, Acting President Han Duck-soo was impeached by lawmakers, marking a first in the country's history. This vote comes after the dismissal, on December 14, of the president Yoon Suk Yeol, accused of attempting to impose martial law in early December.
Han Duck-soo's impeachment was voted unanimously by the 192 lawmakers present, despite protests from the ruling People Power Party (PPP). Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok was appointed to act as interim minister.
Han is accused of obstructing the investigation into his predecessor's attempted rebellion and refusing to appoint three judges to the Constitutional Court, thereby blocking the progress of proceedings. The court is due to rule within six months on Yoon Suk Yeol's final dismissal. Without the missing judges, a unanimous decision by the six remaining judges would be needed to confirm his ouster.
Meanwhile, Yoon Suk Yeol is being investigated for rebellion, a crime punishable by death. Already summoned twice by the Corruption Investigation Bureau, he refused to appear and received a new summons for Sunday.
The political crisis is weakening Asia's fourth-largest economy. Even before the impeachment announcement, the South Korean won hit a 16-year low against the dollar, highlighting investor concerns.
