The National Assembly of the Republic of Korea will hold a vote today on the impeachment of the country's acting president, Han Deok-soo, who is also the country's prime minister.
On December 26, the leading opposition party "Toburo" presented a bill to impeach the acting president at the plenary session of the parliament. According to the law, the vote must take place no earlier than 24 hours later, but no later than 72 hours.
According to the constitution of the Republic of Korea, 200 out of 300 votes of members of parliament are required to impeach the president. A simple majority (151 votes) is sufficient to impeach other high-ranking officials, including the prime minister. "Toburo" controls 170 seats in parliament.
The Constitutional Court has only heard two cases of impeachment of the president - in 2004 and 2016. President Yoon Suk-yeolwas relieved of his duties on December 14.
Deputy Prime Minister Choi Sang-mok, who also holds the post of Minister of Economy and Finance, could become president.
As grounds for impeachment, the opposition cited the acting president's refusal to appoint constitutional judges, a delay in appointing a special prosecutor in the rebellion case and an attempt to share power with the former chairman of the ruling party. According to the opposition, as prime minister he “actively cooperated with or at least tacitly condoned“ the imposition of martial law in violation of the constitution. As Prime Minister, he recommended that the President veto "without compelling reasons" several bills for special investigation, including against the First Lady.