South Korean parliament votes to impeach acting president

The South Korean parliament voted to impeach acting President Han Duck-soo, temporarily stripping him of power less than two weeks after the same body voted to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol following his brief declaration of martial law that threw the country into a political crisis. 

The vote passed 192-0, The Associated Press (AP) reported.

Han's duties and powers have been taken away until the Constitutional Court makes a decision on whether to reinstate him as president or dismiss him entirely. The court typically has nine judges on the bench, but due to delays in filling vacancies it currently counts six justices. For Han’s full removal, all six of them would need to vote in support, according to CNN. 

The same court is also looking over Yoon’s impeachment. In total, the court has up to half a year to take up the cases and make a decision.

Han said that he respects the legislature’s decision and “will suspend my duties under relevant laws to avoid further confusion and uncertainty.”

Choi Sang-mok, the deputy prime minister and finance minister, is filling in and taking over the duties. 

The impeachment motion was filed by the Democratic Party, the main opposition party, over Han's refusal to move on filling the three empty seats on the nation’s highest court. 

Yoon was impeached on Dec. 14, less than two weeks after briefly declaring martial law in the East Asian country on Dec. 3

Yoon’s declaration in early December drew fierce criticisms in the National Assembly and caused protests outside of the building’s halls. He ended up apologizing for the decision and said he would not do it again.