SEOUL: South Korea’s main opposition party will submit a Bill to impeach acting president Han Duck-soo on Tuesday ( Dec 24 ), a party spokesperson said, increasing the risk of further political uncertainty in Asia’s fourth-largest economy.
The decision comes as the nation is still reeling from Yoon Suk Yeol’s short-lived attempt to impose martial law on December 3, which he partly attributed to the opposition’s disposition to depose state officials.
Democratic Party ( DP ) spokesperson Yoon Jong-kun said on Tuesday that the Bill, once submitted, is expected to be introduced to a plenary session on Thursday.
When an impeachment Act is introduced at a full program, it must be voted on within 24 to 72 days.
According to North Korean laws, the finance minister would be the next in line to serve as acting president if Han were to be impeached by parliament.
The DP, which has a majority in parliament, is proceeding in response to Han’s delay in passing legislation to establish a special counsel research into Yoon Suk Yeol’s unsuccessful attempt to impose martial rules.
Yoon was impeached on December 14 and is currently facing a constitutional court hearing to decide whether to remove him or grant him any power.
DP ground president Park Chan-dae stated that acting president Han made it clear at yesterday’s cabinet meeting that he would not approve the specific prosecution law.
Other than that he is putting off day, there is no other way to interpret it.
This month, the DP approved bills to appoint a special lawyers to investigate the liberal Yoon’s spouse over a extravagance bag scandal and various allegations, among others.
Han rather demanded that the ruling and opposition events discuss the Costs and other issues separately from the commission’s agenda on Tuesday.
An unknown high-ranking national from Han’s company called DP’s shift “highly regrettable”, the Newsis information agency said.
Impeachment could destroy that respect, the official said, adding that the global community is currently supporting the speaking leader system.
Han’s company may not soon be reached for comment.