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South Korea: Acting President Han Duck-soo also dismissed

The South Korean parliament also approves the impeachment of Han Duck-soo, who according to the opposition was involved in the martial law attempt. The decision raises political controversy

The South Korean parliament voted to dismiss interim President Han Duck-soo, who had taken office after the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was accused of trying to impose martial law on 3 December. The impeachment motion passed with 192 out of 192 votes cast, an unprecedented event in the history of South Korea, where the impeachment of an interim president had never been voted on.

As reported by the Yonhap news agency, Han, who is also prime minister, has been suspended from his duties and his functions will be taken over by Choi Sang-mok, deputy premier and finance minister, who will become interim president and prime minister. In a statement, Han expressed his respect for the parliament’s decision, but called for a quick and wise decision by the Constitutional Court, which will have to rule on the matter.

Meanwhile, the ruling People’s Power Party (PPP) challenged the validity of the motion, claiming that the speaker of the Assembly, Woo Won-shik, had set the quorum at 151 votes (a simple majority), whereas, according to the party, a two-thirds majority is required for procedures concerning presidents. The motion had been tabled by the opposition Democratic Party, which controls the parliament, accusing Han of being involved in the martial law attempt.

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