South Korea’s parliament voted on Saturday to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol over his short-lived martial law decree, leaving Prime Minister Han Duk-soo to become the country’s acting president. Han Duk-soo, a career diplomat, has extensive experience with a good reputation in South Korea’s political circles. Following the impeachment, Yoon is suspended from exercising presidential powers, and according to the South Korean Constitution, the Prime Minister must assume the role of acting president.
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Who is Han Duk-soo, the acting President of South Korea?
Han, who holds a doctorate from Harvard in economics, has more than three decades of experience working under five different presidents, including both liberals and conservatives. In addition to his other roles, he has also served as Ambassador to the United States. Earlier, outgoing President Yoon Suk Yeol escaped an impeachment vote after a majority of ruling party lawmakers boycotted the floor vote. National Assembly Speaker Woo Won Shik said Yoon’s impeachment was a result inspired by “the people’s strong desire for democracy, courage and dedication.”
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will never give up
Yun also issued a statement saying he would “never give up” and called on officials to maintain stability in government operations during the “temporary” pause of his presidency. After martial law was declared, Yun sent hundreds of soldiers and police officers to parliament to try to disrupt the vote on the decree, before withdrawing after parliament rejected it.
