South Korea's Political Crisis Deepens

a { color: #880000 !important; background: #ffeeee !important; } South Korea's Political Crisis DeepensAsia > PoliticsSouth Korea's political turmoil escalates as acting President Han Duck-soo faces impeachment proceedings initiated by the opposition. This follows his refusal to appoint judges to the Constitutional Court, which is crucial for deciding the fate of impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol, who is under investigation for insurrection after declaring martial law earlier this month.

What's happened

South Korea's political turmoil escalates as acting President Han Duck-soo faces impeachment proceedings initiated by the opposition. This follows his refusal to appoint judges to the Constitutional Court, which is crucial for deciding the fate of impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol, who is under investigation for insurrection after declaring martial law earlier this month.

Why it matters

What the papers say

According to the New York Times, Han Duck-soo's refusal to appoint judges has led to accusations of insurrection against him, with opposition leader Park Chan-dae stating, 'Han’s words were not those of an acting president, but of one who is admitting to insurrection.' The Independent reported that the Democratic Party's floor leader emphasized that Han's stance left them no choice but to initiate impeachment proceedings. AP News highlighted the potential for political paralysis if Han is impeached, as the opposition and ruling party continue to clash over the necessary votes for impeachment. The Japan Times noted that this is the first time in South Korea's history that an acting president faces impeachment, underscoring the unprecedented nature of the current political crisis.

How we got here

The crisis began when President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law on December 3, 2024, leading to his impeachment by the National Assembly on December 14. Prime Minister Han Duck-soo assumed the role of acting president but has since faced opposition calls for his impeachment due to his inaction regarding judicial appointments.

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