South Korean opposition party threatens to impeach acting President Han Duck-soo

South Korea's opposition party has threatened to impeach acting President Han Duck-soo if he does not approve a bill to launch a special investigation into impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol over the declaration of martial law.

The opposition Democratic Party of Korea this month passed a bill to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate Yoon Suk Yeol on charges of sedition and other charges related to the imposition of martial law on December 3. Yoon has been impeached by parliament and is awaiting a Constitutional Court hearing on his removal, while Prime Minister Han Duck-soo has become acting president.

Acting President of South Korea Han Duck-soo

The Democratic Party also introduced a bill to appoint a special prosecutor to investigate the allegations against Yoon’s wife, Kim Keon Hee. With a majority in the National Assembly, the Democratic Party passed the bills but accused Han of delaying their signing, according to Reuters. The party said that if the acting president did not sign the bills by December 24, it would immediately initiate impeachment proceedings against Han.

"The delay shows that the prime minister has no intention of abiding by the constitution and this is tantamount to admitting that he is acting as a proxy for the rebel party," Democratic Party leader Park Chan-dae said at a meeting on December 23.

Mr Han is an independent politician who has held a leading role in South Korean politics for 30 years under several presidential administrations. He was appointed prime minister by Mr Yoon in 2022. Mr Han said he tried to stop Mr Yoon from declaring martial law but apologised for not being able to.

Mr. Park said that any action to delay the investigation and impeachment trial is an extension of the rebellion and a plot for a second time.

Despite the warning, Yonhap news agency quoted a key official in Mr. Han's office as saying the bill was unlikely to be considered at a cabinet meeting this week.

Acting President Han Duck-soo has until January 1, 2025, to decide whether to sign the bills into law or ask the National Assembly to reconsider them.

The ruling People Power Party (PPP) has called on Mr Han to veto the bill involving Mr Yoon, saying it is "clearly unconstitutional".

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/dang-doi-lap-han-quoc-doa-luan-toi-quyen-tong-thong-han-duck-soo-185241223163919163.htm