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What's going on in South Korean politics now?
South Korea’s parliament voted Friday to impeach acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who had been filling in for President Yoon Suk Yeol since he was impeached on Dec. 14. This is the latest development in an unprecedented political crisis that has unfolded in South Korea this month, stemming from the now-suspended Yoon’s botched attempt to invoke military rule on Dec. 3. Here’s what you need to know to catch up with what’s going on in South Korean politics. • South Korean politics
Dec. 27, 2024 -
South Korea’s political crisis deepens as parliament impeaches acting president
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 presidentia
Dec. 27, 2024 -
151 votes can impeach acting president: National Assembly Speaker
National Assembly Speaker Rep. Woo Won-shik announced Friday that the legislature requires 151 votes in favor to pass a motion to impeach acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo. During a plenary session, Woo told lawmakers that Han should be regarded as a member of the South Korean Cabinet instead of a president, and thereby requires a majority of votes at the 300-member National Assembly. The speaker's announcement prompted ruling People Power Party lawmakers' protest in the National
Dec. 27, 2024 -
New acting President Choi Sang-mok vows stability
South Korea faces a historic first as Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok assumes the role of acting president following the impeachment of acting President Han Duck-soo. The National Assembly passed the impeachment motion Friday after Han refused to appoint three Constitutional Court justices unless there was cross-party agreement. Choi, a seasoned civil servant with decades of economic policymaking experience, now carries the unprecedented titles of acting president, actin
Dec. 27, 2024 -
Opposition leader claims impeachment of acting president crucial step to democracy
Rep. Lee Jae-myung, leader of the main opposition Democratic Party, said Friday the party's efforts to impeach acting President Han Duck-soo aimed to make South Korea an exemplary democratic state, rather than to disrupt state affairs. "By dispelling the nefarious delusions of those attempting an insurrection, we will emerge as a stronger, exemplary democratic nation. We will turn this crisis into an opportunity for new leaps forward," Lee said during a televised public address Friday morning. L
Dec. 27, 2024 -
Govt., ruling party unveil W11.6tr support package to stabilize prices, assist vulnerable households
The government and the ruling People Power Party agreed Friday to provide 11.6 trillion won ($7.86 billion) next year to stabilize consumer prices and ease the financial burden on low-income households. The two sides made the agreement during a consultative meeting among government officials, PPP lawmakers and private sector representatives at the National Assembly amid efforts to revitalize the economy. The government and the PPP agreed to create over 1.24 million direct job opportunities for t
Dec. 27, 2024 -
Deputy Prime Minister says acting president's impeachment would deal serious blow
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok said Friday that the looming impeachment of acting President Han Duck-soo would deal a serious blow to the country, calling the opposition-controlled National Assembly's attempt to do so an "impeachment of the entire Cabinet." "If a motion to impeach (Han) passes the parliament, the current administration will suffer a chilling effect in the face of the impeachment threat, and ultimately, Cabinet members will have no reason to exist," Choi
Dec. 27, 2024 -
Constitutional Court set to hold first preparatory hearing of Yoon's impeachment trial
The Constitutional Court is set to hold the first preparatory hearing Friday of a trial on the validity of President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment by the National Assembly over his brief imposition of martial law. The hearing, scheduled for 2 p.m., will bring together the legal representatives of both Yoon and the National Assembly to lay out their cases, present their list of witnesses and evidence, and coordinate the dates of future proceedings. Justices Lee Mi-son and Cheong Hyung-sik, the assi
Dec. 27, 2024 -
Acting President Han faces impeachment vote
The opposition-controlled National Assembly is poised to vote Friday on an impeachment motion against acting President Han Duck-soo over his refusal to appoint Constitutional Court justices that will adjudicate President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment trial. It will mark the first time in South Korea's constitutional history that an impeachment motion against an acting president is put to a vote in the Assembly. On Thursday, the main opposition Democratic Party submitted the impeachment motion shor
Dec. 27, 2024 -
Martial law probe into intelligence commander transferred to military prosecution
A probe into the top military intelligence commander's alleged involvement in martial law operations has been transferred to the military prosecution, the state anti-corruption investigation office said Thursday. Defense Intelligence Commander Maj. Gen. Moon Sang-ho has been under a probe by the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) for allegedly sending troops to the National Election Commission's office on the night of President Yoon Suk Yeol's botched martial law im
Dec. 26, 2024 -
Main opposition submits bill to impeach acting President Han; vote up for Friday
The main opposition Democratic Party submitted an impeachment motion against acting President Han Duck-soo and reported it to a parliamentary plenary session Thursday. The decision comes shortly after Han said he will not appoint justices to the Constitutional Court until the rival parties reach a political compromise. The DP has vowed to impeach Han unless he approves their appointments, as the opposition-controlled National Assembly passed a motion granting parliamentary consent to three justi
Dec. 26, 2024 -
Foreign policy ‘risks’ of potential Lee Jae-myung presidency spark new debate
South Korea’s cooperation with the US and Japan potentially weakening under a Democratic Party of Korea presidency has become a new point of attack against Rep. Lee Jae-myung, the main opposition’s most prominent political frontrunner. In a meeting with Japanese Amb. Koichi Mizushima on Thursday, People Power Party Floor Leader Rep. Kweon Seong-dong addressed “concerns” about the close coordination among South Korea, the US and Japan under President Yoon Suk Yeol becoming compromised by the chan
Dec. 26, 2024 -
Opposition pushes to impeach Acting President Han Duck-soo
The main opposition Democratic Party of Korea on Thursday pledged to impeach acting President Han Duck-soo in a vote on Friday, after the prime minister refused to appoint any justice nominees for President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment trial without bipartisan agreement. If the impeachment motion passes on Friday, Han will have his duties as both the prime minister and acting president suspended, with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Strategy and Finance Choi Sang-mok taking over both roles.
Dec. 26, 2024 -
They say Korean moms get best postpartum care thanks to 'joriwon.' But at what cost?
Two weeks at Joriwon costs W4.78m in Seoul, 38% more than national average Fees for postpartum care centers located in Seoul on average cost 4.78 million won for two weeks, ($3,270), Seoul city government said Thursday. Known as "joriwon," these recovery centers focus on supporting new mothers’ recovery after childbirth. Nurses and professionals care for the newborns full-time, while providing essential guidance to help the mothers care for the babies. The 4.78 million service fee in Seoul is 1.
Dec. 26, 2024 -
Yoon ordered deletion of curfew in martial law decree draft: ex-defense minister's lawyer
President Yoon Suk Yeol ordered the deletion of a public curfew in an initial draft of the martial law decree issued earlier this month, a lawyer for former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun claimed Thursday. Kim's lawyer, Yoo Seung-soo, said the former minister had originally written the draft that included the curfew but Yoon ordered Kim to delete it in his review, citing the decree's focus on the National Assembly. "To sound the alarm against the National Assembly as intended, the president orde
Dec. 26, 2024