South Korea's acting president faces impeachment vote

SEOUL, South Korea — South Korea's acting president faced an impeachment vote on Friday, as the country struggled to shake off political turmoil sparked by his predecessor's martial law declaration that shocked the world.

Han Duck-soo took over as acting president from President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was suspended following a parliamentary vote over his move to impose martial law on December 3.

But opposition MPs now want Han, who is also prime minister, removed from office too, arguing that he is refusing demands to complete Yoon's impeachment process and to bring him to justice.

"Today our Democratic Party impeaches Prime Minister Han Duck-soo in accordance with the people's order," said Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung.

"The 'acting authority' has transformed into 'insurrectionary authority'."

In the impeachment motion put before parliament, the opposition said Han is "intentionally avoiding the special investigation to probe those involved in the insurrection and has clearly stated his intention to reject the appointments of three Constitutional Court judges".

Such actions, the motion said, are "in violation of a public official's duty to uphold the law... and serve the public".

If the opposition succeeds in its bid, South Korea will see its second impeachment of a head of state in less than two weeks, further destabilising its vibrant political scene.

It will also mark the first time South Korea has impeached an acting president.

Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok would step in as acting president in Han's place.

Holding an emergency press conference with cabinet members, Choi pleaded against the opposition's action.

"An impeachment motion against the acting authority is no different from an impeachment motion against the entire cabinet," Choi said.

"Our economy and people's livelihoods, which are walking on thin ice in a national emergency, cannot bear the expansion of political uncertainty surrounding the acting authority," he added.

'True colors'

At the heart of the current row is the composition of the Constitutional Court, which will decide whether to uphold parliament's decision to impeach Yoon.

The court is currently short of three judges. While it can go ahead with its six members on the bench, a single dissenting vote would reinstate Yoon.

The opposition wants Han to approve three more nominees to fill the nine-member bench, something that he has so far refused to do, essentially leaving both sides in deadlock.

Han's refusal to formally appoint the three judges "revealed his true colours", said Democratic Party lawmaker Jo Seoung-lae.

The refusal "is a direct challenge to the Constitution and the law", said Jo, adding the party would seek to impeach Han to "restore constitutional order and stabilise state affairs".

Han has said that he would certify the judges' appointments only if his ruling People Power Party (PPP) and the opposition reach a compromise on the nominees.

"The consistent principle embedded in our constitution and laws is to refrain from exercising significant exclusive presidential powers, including the appointment of constitutional institutions," Han argued.

"A consensus between the ruling and opposition parties in the National Assembly, representing the people, must first be reached," added the 75-year-old career bureaucrat.

Despite the conflicts, the Constitutional Court held its first preliminary hearing on Friday on the validity of Yoon's impeachment.

The suspended president's legal team told AFP in a statement that attorneys and other representatives of Yoon "submitted their letters of representation to the Constitutional Court in the morning (of Friday) and will attend the preparatory hearing for the impeachment trial at 2:00 pm (0500 GMT)".

Amid the political crisis, the South Korean won plummeted to 1480.2 per US dollar on Friday morning, marking its lowest level in nearly 16 years.

The won earlier plunged to a two-year low against the dollar after the declaration of martial law, as investors already concerned about the state of Asia's number-four economy shunned the currency.

Police said Friday that they have started to raid the presidential safe house and collect footage from nearby security cameras as part of the martial law probe.