South Korean Prime Minister Han Duck-soo faces impeachment proposal

South Korea’s opposition lawmakers have filed a motion to impeach the country’s prime minister and acting leader Han Duck-soo, less than two weeks after parliament voted to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol.

This came after Han refused to appoint constitutional court judges nominated by the main opposition Democratic Party (DP).

“Han has revealed himself as an insurrectionist and not an acting president,” DP floor leader Park Chan-dae said on Thursday.

The opposition also accused Han of supporting Yoon’s attempt to impose martial law on December 3. Han had previously apologized for failing to stop it.

Han also vetoed several opposition-led bills, including one proposing a special investigation into Yoon’s short-term declaration of martial law.

The impeachment motion is expected to be put to a vote in the next 24 to 72 hours.

To succeed, 151 out of 300 parliamentarians must vote in favor.

The DP Party currently holds 170 out of 300 seats in parliament. The opposition bloc together holds 192 seats.

Opposition parties had hoped Han would not stand in their way in his role as the country’s caretaker president and that he would allow the bills to pass.

But instead he stood his ground, deepening the political conflict.

On Tuesday, Mr. Han ended a cabinet meeting without considering two opposition-sponsored bills calling for an investigation of the special counsel over the declaration of martial law and corruption allegations related to the first Lady Kim Keon Hee.

He said he did not put them on the agenda to give the ruling party and opposition more time to reach a compromise.

But DP floor leader Park Chan-dae criticized him for “buying time and prolonging the uprising”.

“We have clearly warned him that he will go down in history as a disgraceful figure, a puppet of rebel plot leader Yoon Suk Yeol or a civil servant who faithfully performed his duties. is completely dependent on Prime Minister Han Duck-soo. public imperative,” Park said in a televised party meeting.

And on Thursday, Han said he would not appoint the three judges the opposition-dominated National Assembly nominated to the constitutional court – which is considering whether Yoon should be impeached – unless when rival parties reach consensus.

Regarding this issue, Park said “it is clear that Han Duck-soo is neither qualified nor willing to defend the constitution”, adding that the opposition will “immediately” introduce an impeachment bill .

Han’s ruling People’s Power Party said the opposition’s threats had hindered Han’s “legitimate exercise of power”, while a senior official at the prime minister’s office criticized the comments. threat was “extremely regrettable”.

Han took over as interim president after Yoon was dismissed earlier this month. If lawmakers vote to impeach Han, Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok will be next.

The latest development in the country’s political turmoil comes as the Seoul Constitutional Court is considering whether Yoon should be permanently banned from office.

The court is expected to hold its first public hearing later this week.

It is unclear whether Yoon himself will take the stand during the hearings, but protesters have vowed to continue calling for Yoon’s removal during court proceedings.

Yoon is also under investigation for alleged insurrection following a failed attempt to put the country under martial law.

He has refused to accept several summonses served to him and investigators have warned that they may issue an arrest warrant if he continues to be unresponsive.

Several senior officials – including former defense minister Kim Yong-hyun, former interior minister Lee Sang-min and army chief Park An-su – are also under investigation.

Additional reporting by Jake Kwon and Hosu Lee in Seoul