South Korean opposition party proposes motion to impeach Acting President Choi Sang-mok

On Friday, the five opposition parties in South Korea, led by the Democratic Party, introduced a motion to impeach Acting President Choi Sang-mok. This move by the opposition parties could escalate political turmoil in South Korea.

The motion was initiated on Friday and is set to go through a parliamentary vote requiring a simple majority for approval, although the specific timeline remains unclear.

On December 14 last year, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol was impeached after announcing a brief state of emergency, and Prime Minister Han Deok-su assumed the presidential duties.

On December 27 of the same year, the opposition-led parliament further impeached Han Deok-su, leading to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Planning and Finance Choi Sang-mok taking over the presidential and prime ministerial roles. The parliament impeached Han Deok-su for assisting Yoon Suk Yeol in implementing the state of emergency and for refusing to appoint constitutional court judges.

Choi Sang-mok has repeatedly rejected bills passed by the parliament and has delayed appointing the constitutional court judge candidate, infuriating the opposition parties that hold an absolute majority in the parliament.

The constitutional court is currently reviewing Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment case, and a decision is expected soon on whether he will be reinstated as president or permanently removed from office.

Shin Yul, a political science professor at Myongji University, stated that the Democratic Party is aware that the public and parliament are growing tired of the party’s over twenty impeachment motions against government officials under Yoon Suk Yeol.

He said, “If another liberal judge is appointed to the court, it could have significant political implications, as it would increase the possibility of impeaching Yoon Suk Yeol and forcing a new election.”

He added that the Democratic Party’s sole goal is to hold elections as soon as possible and preferably at an earlier date.

Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the Democratic Party, is the current president Yoon Suk Yeol’s challenger. He himself faces several criminal charges, including violations of election law and misappropriation of public funds, which could disqualify him from running.

If Choi Sang-mok’s acting presidency is revoked, South Korea will have to hold a new election within 60 days.

The constitutional court is set to make a decision on Han Deok-su’s impeachment case next Monday, March 24. If the impeachment is rejected, he will return to the position of acting president.

According to relevant laws, the parliament must vote on high-ranking government officials’ impeachments within 72 hours after the case is presented to the full assembly 24 hours before. Considering the constitutional court’s ruling on Han Deok-su’s impeachment case on the 24th, followed by a possible decision on Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment case, the parliament will schedule a vote on Choi Sang-mok accordingly.

(*This article is based on reports from Reuters)