South Korea: Opposition Party Plans Impeachment Motion Against Acting President Han

Seoul, Dec 24 (NationPress) The Democratic Party (DP), South Korea's leading opposition group, has declared its intention to initiate an impeachment motion against acting President Han Duck-soo this Tuesday. This action is in response to his refusal to endorse two special counsel bills aimed at President Yoon Suk Yeol and first lady Kim Keon Hee.

The resolution was unanimously approved during a meeting of DP lawmakers, and the motion is set to be presented at a plenary session scheduled for Thursday, according to party spokesperson Yun Jong-kun.

According to legal protocols, an impeachment motion must be voted on within 24 to 72 hours after being reported to the plenary session.

To successfully pass an impeachment motion against a president, a two-thirds majority is required; however, a simple majority suffices for senior officials.

The ruling People Power Party contends that the acting president should be regarded as the president for voting purposes, while the DP maintains he should be viewed as the prime minister, as reported by Yonhap news agency.

The DP's choice follows a Cabinet meeting led by Han that concluded without addressing the two bills calling for special counsel investigations into Yoon's brief imposition of martial law and the corruption allegations surrounding Kim.

"This can only be interpreted as a tactic to delay and extend the insurrection," stated Park Chan-dae, the DP floor leader, during an earlier party meeting, referring to characterizations of Yoon's martial law declaration as an insurrection.

Nonetheless, the DP is reportedly contemplating postponing their action until Han decides on the appointment of justices to the Constitutional Court.

The nine-member bench currently has three vacancies as they prepare for a trial regarding the National Assembly's impeachment of Yoon related to his martial law decree.

Earlier, National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik criticized the acting president for delaying decisions on the special counsel bills and court appointments, urging for bipartisan negotiations towards a resolution.

"The special counsel investigations are a demand from the public," Woo declared. "Whether he opts for reconsideration or acceptance is a decision the acting president must make."

Concerning court appointments, Woo asserted, "Selecting Constitutional Court justices nominated by the National Assembly should not be subject to political negotiations."

A senior official within the Prime Minister's Office expressed disappointment regarding the DP's threat to impeach Han.

"I find it incredibly regrettable and trust they will reconsider this matter more thoughtfully moving forward," he conveyed to reporters.