South Korea’s President Impeached, Premier Takes Over

By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News

SEOUL (Worthy News) – South Korea’s parliament voted to impeach the president, Yoon Suk Yeol, nearly two weeks after his declaration of martial law led to the country’s worst political tensions since dictatorship ended in 1988.

The National Assembly passed the impeachment bill with 204 lawmakers in the 300-member house in favor, exceeding the two-thirds majority needed.

The decision came moments after officials said at least 200,000 protesters took to the streets of Seoul, the capital, to support impeachment.

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, the country’s number 2 official, took over presidential powers till a successor was chosen.

Yoon, who was immediately suspended, urged South Koreans to support the acting president amid fears the nation could otherwise plunge into the instability that led to military-backed coups in the past.

However, he vowed to continue fighting for his political future as the impeachment process enters its next stage. “While I may come to a stop for now, the journey toward the future that I have walked with the people over the past two and a half years must never be halted,” Yoon stated.

The Constitutional Court has up to 180 days to determine whether to dismiss Yoon as president or restore his powers.

THROWN OUT

Experts said if he’s removed from office, a national election to choose his successor must be held within 60 days.

It was the second National Assembly vote on Yoon’s impeachment after ruling party lawmakers boycotted the first-floor vote last Saturday.

Some governing People Power Party lawmakers had since said they would vote for Yoon’s impeachment as public protests intensified and his approval rating plummeted.

Police were are also considering whether to put Yoon under emergency arrest, according to police sources familiar right the case.

Prosecutors already detained former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun this month as part of an investigation into events leading up to the martial law declaration.

Others being investigated include former interior minister Lee Sang-min and army chief Park An-su, who was named martial law commander.

Additionally, the case reportedly includes chiefs of the Capital Defence Command, the army’s Special Warfare Command, and the Defence Counterintelligence Command, as well as several other military generals and senior police officials. Worthy News learned that the national and Seoul police chiefs are among them, and they are accused of playing a role in the martial law plan.

OFFICIALS BANNED

Ahead of Saturday’s vote, South Korea banned Yoon, Kim, Lee, the national and Seoul police chiefs, and 10 military commanders from leaving the country due to the criminal probes.

The Justice Ministry accepted a request for the ban on December 9 from the Corruption Investigation Office For High-ranking Officials, or CIO, explained Bae Sang-up, commissioner of the ministry’s Korea Immigration Service. Bae was speaking during a parliamentary session.

Oh Dong-woon, head of the CIO, didn’t rule out detention when asked by a lawmaker if his office was determined to seek Yoon’s arrest.

The main opposition Democratic Party said on Monday that it has also filed a complaint against Prime Minister Han Duck-soo to be included in the investigations for failing to block Yoon’s attempt at martial law.

The developments followed the unexpected December 3 late-night television address when Yoon announced martial law for the first time in more than four decades.

Yoon told the nation that the move was necessary as “shameless pro-North Korean anti-state forces” working with the opposition were “trying to overthrow the free democracy.”

Yet crowds of pro-democracy protesters and legislators didn’t believe him. He and other
officials now under investigation face potential charges of “insurrection,” abuse of authority,” and “obstructing” other people from exercising their rights.

DEATH PENALTY?

If convicted, the crime of leading an insurrection is punishable by death or life imprisonment, with or without prison labor, according to experts.

For those who participated in an insurrection plot or engaged in other essential activities, the punishment could range from death to life imprisonment down to imprisonment without prison labor for at least five years.

People who merely joined in the plot or violence face imprisonment, with or without prison labor, for less than five years.

Abuse of authority brings penalties of imprisonment for less than five years or fines of up to 10 million won ($7,000), while obstructing other people’s rights is punishable by a prison term of less than five years or fines of up to 7 million won.

South Korea last handed down a death sentence in 2016 but has not executed anyone since 1997.

The investigations come some eight years after the 2016 corruption scandal engulfing then-President Park Geun-hye, who was impeached and eventually ousted.

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