South Korea’s parliament has reported an impeachment motion against former Acting President Choi Sang-mok. The motion, filed on March 21, accuses Choi of refusing to appoint a constitutional court justice during his tenure.
The National Assembly’s plenary session reported the motion on Wednesday after it was submitted by the main opposition Democratic Party and four minor parties. Choi served as acting president for about three months following the impeachment of both President Yoon Suk-yeol and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo last December. Han was reinstated as prime minister and acting president on March 24.
The impeachment motion against Choi cites four reasons, including his alleged involvement in President Yoon’s failed attempt to impose martial law and his refusal to appoint a constitutional court justice. The nine-member constitutional court currently operates with eight justices due to the vacancy.
The constitutional court is set to decide on Friday whether to remove President Yoon from office. On December 3 last year, Yoon declared an emergency martial law, but it was revoked by the opposition-led National Assembly hours later. The motion to impeach Yoon was passed on December 14, and the court has since held 11 hearings on the matter.
The unfolding political situation highlights significant tensions within South Korea’s political landscape as the nation awaits the court’s decision.
