South Korean opposition MPs have submitted a resolution to impeach the country’s prime minister and interim leader, Han Duck-soo, less than two weeks after parliament voted to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol.
This follows Han’s refusal to select constitutional court judges named by the main opposition Democratic Party.
On Thursday, DP floor leader Park Chan-dae stated, “Han has revealed himself to be an acting insurrectionist, not an acting president”.
The opposition has also accused Han of supporting Yoon’s effort to impose martial law on December 3. Han earlier apologized for failing to block it.
On Tuesday, Han adjourned a cabinet meeting without reading two opposition-sponsored legislation calling for special counsel investigations into the martial law declaration and corruption charges against first lady Kim Keon Hee.
He claimed he did not include them on the agenda to give the government and opposition parties more time to achieve an agreement.
However, DP floor leader Park Chan-dae chastised him for “buying time and prolonging the insurrection”.
“We’ve clearly warned that it’s totally up to Prime Minister Han Duck-soo whether he would go down in history as a disgraceful figure, as a puppet of rebellion plot leader Yoon Suk Yeol, or a public servant that has faithfully carried out the orders by the public,” Park stated during a television interview.
On Thursday, Han said he would not appoint the three judges recommended by the opposition-dominated National Assembly to the constitutional court, which is deliberating whether Yoon should be impeached, unless the competing parties reached an agreement.
Han’s ruling People Power Party said the opposition’s threats had interfered with Han’s “legitimate exercise of authority,” while a senior official in the prime minister’s office called the threats “extremely regrettable.”
Han took over as temporary president after Yoon was removed from office earlier this month. If lawmakers vote for Han’s impeachment, Finance Minister Choi
The court is scheduled to hold its first public session later this week.
It is unknown whether Yoon would testify during the hearings, but demonstrators have vowed to continue calling for Yoon’s dismissal during court proceedings.
Yoon is also being investigated for alleged insurrection in connection with his failed effort to declare martial law in the country.
He has failed to accept repeated summonses handed to him, and detectives have threatened to issue an arrest warrant if he does not respond.
Several senior officials, including former defence minister Kim Yong-hyun, former interior minister Lee Sang-min, and army chief Park An-su, are also under investigation.
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