By Stefan J. Bos, Chief International Correspondent Worthy News
SEOUL (Worthy News) – South Korea’s political crisis deepened Friday as the opposition-controlled parliament voted to impeach acting President Han Duck-soo despite loud protests by governing party lawmakers.
The single-chamber National Assembly passed Han’s impeachment motion with a 192-0 vote, less than two weeks after suspending previous President Yoon Suk Yeol’s powers.
Observers said the impeachment of Han, the acting president since Yoon was impeached on December 14 for declaring martial law on December 3, pushed South Korea’s once-vibrant democratic success story into uncharted territory.
Lawmakers with the governing People Power Party boycotted the vote. They surrounded the podium where assembly Speaker Woo Won Shik was seated, shouting that the vote was”invalid” and demanding Woo’s resignation.
No violence or injuries were reported.
Han’s impeachment means he will be stripped of the president’s powers and duties until the Constitutional Court decides whether to dismiss or reinstate him.
Friday’s vote added to uncertainty over the political direction of the strategically located Asian nation. It is a key ally of the United States, which has 28,500 troops there, according to the U.S. Congressional Research Service obtained by Worthy News.
After the vote, Han said he was “saddened” by what the unfolding events “meant for the next generation” but accepted the outcome. “I respect parliament’s decision, and in order to avoid further chaos and uncertainty, I will suspend my duties in accordance with relevant laws,” he added.
He cautioned that he would await the Constitutional Court’s decision to review the impeachment motion.
The ruling People Power Party objected to Han’s opposition-led impeachment and said it had filed a constitutional petition.
Copyright 1999-2025 Worthy News. This article was originally published on Worthy News and was reproduced with permission.
Latest News from Worthy News
A new study shows there has been a surge in attacks on Christians in Nicaragua over the last two years, with Nicaraguan dictator President Daniel Ortega now specifically targeting evangelical bodies as well as Catholic communities, Christian Daily International (CDI) reports.
Israel released 110 Palestinian prisoners Thursday after Hamas fighters freed seven hostages – two Israelis and five Thais.
Missionaries and local Christians in Mozambique are being targeted by Islamic terror groups amid ongoing political protests and upheaval over October’s highly disputed general election results, Mission Network News (MNN) reports.
U.S. President Donald J. Trump told reporters Thursday there were no survivors after Wednesday’s midair collision between an American Airlines passenger plane and a military helicopter that killed 67 people.
The Trump administration on Monday ordered all public health officials working with the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to immediately cease all collaboration with the World Health Organization and “await further guidance,” the Associated Press reports.
Christian couple in India’s Uttar Pradesh state has been sentenced to five years in prison for ‘attempting to convert’ Hindus to Christ in violation of the state’s anti-conversion law, Christian Solidarity Worldwide (CSW) reports.
Dutch authorities have detained three suspects over the theft of priceless Romania artifacts from a small museum in the Netherlands, including an ancient golden helmet, after Romania threatened with legal action.