South Korea’s political crisis deepens as parliament impeaches acting president

Acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo delivers a public address at the Government Complex in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on Thursday. (Yonhap)

South Korea’s National Assembly impeached acting President Han Duck-soo on Friday, amid an ever-deepening political crisis sparked by the now-suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol’s short-lived declaration of martial law.

This marks the first time a leader has faced impeachment while serving as acting president.

As unprecedented as it is, Han’s impeachment by a majority vote looks set for a legal review, as the ruling People Power Party vowed to challenge the legality and effect of it.

A presidential impeachment requires a two-thirds majority of all lawmakers -- 200 Assebly votes -- to pass. Friday's motion got 192 votes in support, above the 151 the Assembly speaker said was required for Han's impeachment, on the basis that he is a Cabinet member, rather than elected president.

If Han’s parliamentary impeachment stands, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok will assume the role of acting president.