#Duck Soo Impeachment

[justinspoliticalcorner]

Justin McCurry at The Guardian:

South Korea’s parliament has voted to impeach the acting president, Han Duck-soo, plunging the country deeper into a political crisis that has caused policy deadlock and damaged its international reputation. On Friday, the national assembly approved an impeachment motion introduced on Thursday by the main opposition party by a 192-0 vote. The chamber has 300 MPs, but members of the ruling People Power party (PPP) boycotted Friday’s vote.

Han took over as president after his predecessor, Yoon Suk Yeol, was impeached over his short-lived imposition of martial law on 3 December. The move triggered six hours of chaos that, for many older South Koreans, brought back memories of the country’s bloody transition from military rule to democracy in the 1980s. The main opposition Democratic party – which has a majority in the national assembly – targeted Han after accusing him of participating in Yoon’s botched imposition of martial law, which ended when MPs forced their way into the parliament building to overturn Yoon’s decree. Yoon had claimed he had declared martial law as a legitimate “act of governance” to root out politicians from opposition parties he accused of pro-North Korean sympathies and anti-state activities. He gave no evidence for those claims, and analysts believe he had become exasperated by his failure to get his budgets past the opposition-controlled national assembly. Had it stood for more than a few hours, the martial law order edict would have suspended all political activity, banned protests and curtailed press freedoms, while police and troops would have been responsible for enforcing the order.

South Korea impeaches its 2nd president in less than a month. This time, it's acting President Han Duck-soo. With Duck-soo's impeachment, Choi Sang-mok will become the interim President.

Will Sang-mok be the 3rd President getting impeached in succession there? stay tuned.

[tomorrowusa]

A right wing president who was elected by a tiny margin and with less than 50% of the vote by appealing to resentful bros has been impeached.

No, not THAT president. It was Yoon Suk-yeol of South Korea who finally got the boot after an unsuccessful attempt to impose authoritarian martial law.

South Korea’s parliament has voted to impeach the president, Yoon Suk Yeol, almost two weeks after his short-lived declaration of martial law plunged the country into its worst political crisis for decades. In dramatic scenes at the national assembly in Seoul, 204 lawmakers voted for an opposition motion to impeach Yoon, while an estimated 200,000 protesters outside demanded he be thrown out of office. Saturday was the second opportunity in a week the assembly’s lawmakers had to begin the process of ousting Yoon, whose approval ratings have plummeted to 11%. To succeed, the opposition parties, which together control 192 seats, needed at least eight members of Yoon’s People Power party (PPP) to vote in favour to reach the required two-thirds majority of 200 in the 300-seat chamber. In the end, it appears that more PPP members were willing to throw their support behind impeachment. South Korean TV said 85 MPs voted against, while three ballots were spoilt and eight were ruled invalid. Huge cheers erupted outside the chamber as the results were announced, and MPs left to applause from onlookers. The spotlight will now move to the country’s constitutional court, whose six justices must vote unanimously in favour to uphold parliament’s decision. Yoon will now be suspended from office while the court deliberates, with the prime minister, Han Duck-soo, becoming interim president. The court has 180 days to rule on Yoon’s future. If it approves the motion, South Koreans must elect a new president within 60 days of its ruling.

The crowd near the South Korean National Assembly with an effigy of Yoon in jail.

National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-sik signs the approved impeachment motion.

Overreach is a trait of rulers who overestimate the support they have as well as the extent of their power. It was well known in ancient times and appears in a number Shakespeare's plays. Putin's invasion of Ukraine is a classic instance of overreach. Overreach can seriously weaken or even topple those who do the reaching.

[easykorean]

Presidential Yun’s impeachment.

The world has been closely watching now-impeached President Yun Suk-Yeol since he declared martial law on December 3, 2024. As of 7:24PM on December 14,2024, Prime Minister Han Duck-Soo is the interim leader of South Korea. President Yun was immediately suspended after a National Assembly vote. The Constitutional Court will now decide whether to reinstate him or to formally kick him out – this…

[head-post]

South Korea’s opposition wants to impeach acting president Han

The opposition Democratic Party said it would introduce a bill to impeach South Korean acting president Han Duck-soo, Reuters reported.

Friday’s vote could worsen the country’s constitutional crisis caused by the brief martial law imposed by President Yoon Suk Yeol on 3 December.

The opposition also threatened to impeach Han unless he immediately appointed three judges to fill vacancies on the Constitutional Court. Parliament voted in favour of the three nominees on Thursday, but Han had yet to formally appoint them. Democratic Party leader Park Chan-dae stated:

It has become clear that Prime Minister and acting President Han Duck-soo does not have the qualification or the will to safeguard the Constitution.

If Han is impeached, the finance minister would take over his position. The Democratic Party enjoys control of parliament, but there is disagreement among the parties and some constitutional law experts over whether a simple majority or two-thirds vote is required to impeach the acting president.

Earlier on Thursday, Han said he would not appoint judges until the political parties reached an agreement on the appointments. Two of the proposed candidates for the Constitutional Court nominated for Thursday’s vote were proposed by the Democratic Party and one by Han’s ruling People Power Party.

The court is due to hold its first hearing on Friday to decide whether to suspend Yoon or reinstate him. Under the constitution, six justices must agree to remove an impeached president. This means the current justices must unanimously vote in favour of ousting Yoon.

Yoon, who was impeached by parliament in a 14 December vote, had not submitted legal documents requested by the court as of Thursday, court spokesman Lee Jean said at a news conference.

The president also failed to respond to another summons for questioning in a separate criminal investigation on Wednesday. Yoon’s repeated defiance sparked criticism and opposition calls for his arrest.

Read more HERE

[euginemicah]

South Korean MPs impeach Acting President for slowing President's removal » Capital News

SEOUL, South Korea, Dec 27 — South Korea has voted to impeach its acting president Han Duck-soo, two weeks after parliament voted to impeach its President Yoon Suk Yeol. A total of 192 lawmakers voted for his impeachment, more than the 151 votes needed for it to succeed. Prime Minister Han took over the role after President Yoon was impeached by parliament following his failed attempt to impose…

[radioshiga]

Oposição da Coreia do Sul pede impeachment do primeiro-ministro Han

Seul, Coreia do Sul, 27 de dezembro de 2024 (Agência Yonhap). O Partido Democrático da Coreia, principal oposição no país, apresentou hoje uma moção para o impeachment do primeiro-ministro Han Duck-soo, que também está exercendo funções como presidente interino após a suspensão de Yoon Suk-yeol. A moção foi protocolada pelo líder da bancada oposicionista, Kim Chan-dae, que afirmou: “O…

[without-ado]

The main opposition Democratic Party called for President Yoon to resign or face impeachment.

Yoon declared martial law only to reverse the move hours later and what he did for a few hours as President triggered a political crisis in South Korea.

Yoon told the nation in a TV address late on 3, Dec that martial law was needed to defend the country from nuclear-armed North Korea and pro-North anti-state forces, and protect its free constitutional order, although he cited no specific threats.

“It was clearly revealed to the entire nation that President Yoon could no longer run the country normally. He should step down," senior DP member of parliament Park Chan-dae said in a statement.

Six South Korean opposition parties said they would submit Yoon's impeachment bill on 4, Dec. the Democratic Party said in a message to reporters, with voting to take place on Friday or Saturday.

If Yoon resigned or was removed from office, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo would fill in as leader until a new election was held within 60 days.

"South Korea as a nation dodged a bullet, but President Yoon may have shot himself in the foot," Danny Russel, vice president of the Asia Society Policy Institute think tank in the United States, said of the first martial law declaration in South Korea since 1980.

more at REUTERS

Politician Ahn Gwi-ryeong scuffled with a soldier amid "emergency martial law" placed by President Yoon.

[collapsedsquid]

Impeached Prime Minister Han Duck-soo told the Constitutional Court that Cabinet ministers were concerned about President Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law bid and attempted to dissuade him before he announced it on Dec. 3. "As I recall, all (Cabinet members) were concerned and tried to dissuade him," Han said, referring to a hastily arranged meeting of some Cabinet ministers shortly before Yoon's surprise imposition of martial law. When asked about former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun's testimony that some members were in favor of Yoon's plan, Han replied, "From what I recall, that was not the case at all."

Need to know the sweatiness with which he made that last statement.

[fuckyeahmarxismleninism]

Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) update / December 9, 2024]

"On December 12th, KCTU activists from around the country will gather in Seoul. The KCTU will lead the fight to dismantle the People Power Party."

*****

KCTU President Yang, Kyeung-soo’s speech for the press conference in front of the PPP headquater

*****

We are here today to announce our intention to dismantle the People Power Party, who have sided with those who attempted to subvert the will of the people.

On December 3rd, martial law was declared, and members of parliament had to climb over walls to reach the National Assembly to lift it. Citizens put their bodies on the line to break through police lines and prevent military deployment. At that crucial moment, the People Power Party not only refused to join efforts to lift martial law but actively hindered them. Even after Yoon Suk-yeol's martial law attempt failed, the People Power Party refused to participate in last Saturday's impeachment motion against him.

A political party that goes against the will of the people has no right to exist. Therefore, from this moment, we will begin our campaign to dismantle the People Power Party. Last weekend, Han Dong-hoon, the party's chairman, and Han Duck-soo, the Prime Minister, rushed to discuss how they would share power. I have this to say to Chairman Han Dong-hoon: If you lack the courage to stand against Yoon's martial law, if you lack the conscience to protect democracy, shouldn't you at least have some sense of shame? How dare you speak of power-sharing and stabilising the government?

You are accomplices to insurrection. At a time when you should be on your knees begging for the people's forgiveness, who gave you the authority to discuss power-sharing and make extra-constitutional decisions about the president's term? Our citizens understand this. We must stop Yoon Suk-yeol as quickly as possible. Even at this moment, he remains the Commander-in-Chief of our armed forces. Even now, he heads the executive branch.

No law, no measure, no words can stop Yoon's rampage. The only solution is to swiftly impeach him, arrest him, and confine him to the solitary cell in the Eastern Detention Centre that they prepared. Setting the country right and resolving this chaos can only begin by stopping Yoon. The People Power Party must immediately join the impeachment motion. They must apologise to the people and dissolve themselves. Han Dong-hoon, Han Duck-soo, and PPP lawmakers - this is not the time to hunger for power. It's time to right our society and restore democracy.

The KCTU will launch nationwide efforts to dismantle the People Power Party. In constituencies, we will work with citizens to clearly demonstrate voters' wishes. We will make sure their representatives understand exactly what the voters want.

On December 12th, the anniversary of the December 12 military coup, KCTU's activists from all around the country will once again gather in Seoul. We will fight to arrest and detain Yoon Suk-yeol and dismantle the People Power Party. To all citizens who have taken to the streets with candles in this harsh winter, the KCTU will lead the way forward. Let's unite. Let's come together once more to protect and advance the society we created in our squares and streets. We will fight vigorously to dismantle the People Power Party and to impeach and arrest Yoon Suk-yeol.

[planetofsnarfs]

South Korea has voted to impeach its acting president Han Duck-soo, two weeks after parliament voted to impeach its President Yoon Suk Yeol.

Prime minister Han took over the role after President Yoon was impeached by parliament following his failed attempt to impose martial law on 3 December.

Han was supposed to lead the country out of its political turmoil, but opposition MPs argued that he was refusing demands to complete Yoon's impeachment process.

The opposition first filed an impeachment motion against Han on Thursday after he blocked the appointment of three judges that parliament had chosen to oversee Yoon's case.

[justinspoliticalcorner]

Raphael Rashid and Justin McCurry at The Guardian:

South Korea’s parliament has voted to impeach the president, Yoon Suk Yeol, almost two weeks after his short-lived declaration of martial law plunged the country into its worst political crisis for decades. In dramatic scenes at the national assembly in Seoul, 204 lawmakers voted for an opposition motion to impeach Yoon, while an estimated 200,000 protesters outside demanded he be thrown out of office. Saturday was the second opportunity in a week the assembly’s lawmakers had to begin the process of ousting Yoon, whose approval ratings have plummeted to 11%. To succeed, the opposition parties, which together control 192 seats, needed at least eight members of Yoon’s People Power party (PPP) to vote in favour to reach the required two-thirds majority of 200 in the 300-seat chamber. In the end, 12 PPP members were willing to throw their support behind impeachment. South Korean TV said 85 MPs had voted against, while three ballots were spoilt and eight were ruled invalid. Huge cheers erupted outside the chamber as the results were announced, and MPs left to applause from onlookers. Yoon, who was immediately suspended, called on South Koreans to support the acting president, Han Duck-soo, but vowed to continue fighting for his political future as the impeachment process enters its next stage.

South Korea’s parliament voted to impeach Yoon Suk Yeol in the wake of his short-live martial law declaration that drove a lot of backlash against him.

[khiphop-discussions]

Korea impeached Han Duck Soo too

[wilsondavalosnieves]

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol Detained Amid Martial Law Crisis And Impeachment Drive

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol Detained Amid Martial Law Crisis And Impeachment Drive

Yoon Suk Yeol’s declaration of martial law on December 3, 2024, was not just a political misstep—it was a direct assault on South Korea’s democratic institutions. His accusations of “anti-state activities” against the Democratic Party and claims of collaboration with North Korea were not only baseless but dangerously authoritarian. This was not governance; it was a desperate lunge for unchecked power.

The immediate backlash was swift and decisive. The National Assembly, defying military intervention, voted unanimously to lift martial law within hours. This was a rare moment of unity in a deeply divided political landscape, proving that even in crisis, South Korea’s democratic foundations remain resilient. But the damage was done. Yoon’s actions had already shattered public trust and exposed the fragility of his leadership.

The impeachment proceedings that followed were inevitable. By December 14, Yoon was suspended from office, and by January 15, he was in custody, facing charges of insurrection. This is not just a fall from grace—it’s a reckoning. Yoon’s attempt to consolidate power through martial law has instead left him isolated, his legacy tarnished by his own authoritarian impulses.

What’s striking is how quickly the political tide turned. Yoon’s own party, the People Power Party, fractured under the weight of his actions. Key allies resigned, and even his Prime Minister, Han Duck-soo, was impeached. The domino effect of this crisis has left South Korea’s political system in disarray, with Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok now serving as acting president. This is not just a leadership vacuum—it’s a systemic crisis.

The international implications are equally dire. South Korea’s allies, particularly the United States and Japan, are watching with growing concern. Yoon’s actions have not only destabilized the region but also undermined South Korea’s credibility as a democratic bulwark against authoritarianism. North Korea’s gleeful condemnation of Yoon as a “fascist dictator” only adds insult to injury.

This crisis is far from over. The Constitutional Court has up to 180 days to rule on Yoon’s impeachment, and his criminal trial could drag on for months. In the meantime, South Korea faces a prolonged period of political uncertainty, with a presidential election looming. The economic fallout, compounded by global challenges like slow Chinese growth and U.S. tariffs, could further strain the country’s resilience.

Yoon’s downfall is a cautionary tale. It underscores the dangers of leaders who prioritize power over principle, and it highlights the fragility of democratic institutions in the face of authoritarian overreach. But it also reveals the strength of South Korea’s democratic foundations. The swift and unified response from the National Assembly, the judiciary, and the public is a testament to the enduring power of democracy.

In the end, Yoon’s legacy will be one of hubris and failure. His attempt to wield martial law as a weapon has backfired spectacularly, leaving him detained and disgraced. But for South Korea, this crisis is an opportunity—a chance to reaffirm its commitment to democracy and to rebuild stronger, more accountable institutions. The road ahead will be difficult, but the alternative—a slide into authoritarianism—is unthinkable.

[odnewsin]

Turmoil in S Korea

South Korea is plagued by a deepening political crisis after two impeachment motions against two top leaders have been passed, one after the other, in an unprecedented development that has baffled the observers of that country. The Opposition-controlled National Assembly has voted to impeach acting President Han Duck-soo. It comes close on the heels of President Yoon Suk Yeol’s surprising…

[head-post]

South Korea’s acting president Han Duck-Soo impeached

South Korea’s parliament declared impeachment of acting president Han Duck-soo less than two weeks after suspending President Yoon Suk Yeol, Reuters reported.

Yoon’s declaration of martial law on 3 December plunged the country into political chaos, leading to his impeachment on 14 December. In a statement after the vote, Han said he was saddened by what the events meant for the next generation.

I respect parliament’s decision and in order to avoid further chaos and uncertainty, I will suspend my duties in accordance with relevant laws.

The ruling People Power Party, which had opposed Han’s impeachment, said it filed a constitutional petition. The impeachment motion put forward by opposition parties was passed by 192 out of 300 votes. The plan to impeach Han came after he refused to immediately appoint three judges to fill vacancies on the Constitutional Court, arguing it would exceed his authority.

Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok would now assume the role of acting president. Ahead of the parliamentary election, the South Korean won fell to 1,475.4 per dollar, down 0.53 per cent by 07:07 GMT.

The vote to determine Han’s fate comes on the day the Constitutional Court held its first hearing to decide whether to overturn Yoon’s impeachment or permanently remove him from office. The court has 180 days to make a decision.

The next hearing will be held on 3 January.

The hearing follows weeks of defiance by Yoon, who has ignored court requests for documents as well as subpoenas from investigators in a separate criminal case over his declaration of martial law. If he is suspended, a new presidential election will be held within 60 days.

Yoon stunned the country and the world by announcing martial law late on the evening of 3 December to break the political deadlock and root out “anti-state forces.” Within hours, however, 190 lawmakers voted against Yoon’s order despite police efforts.

On Friday, prosecutors also indicted former defence minister Kim Yong-hyun. It marked the first time an official accused of insurrection was brought to trial.

Read more HERE