South Korea's Parliament Impeaches Acting President Han, as Yoon Goes on Trial

Han's sudden ouster adds to the uncertainty, and Choi may also face removal if he too clashes with the opposition-led parliament

- Reuters

SEOUL: South Korea's parliament impeached acting President Han Duck-soo on Friday, less than two weeks after suspending President Yoon Suk Yeol's powers over his short-lived declaration of martial law, plunging the country deeper into political chaos.

The impeachment of prime minister Han, the acting president since Yoon was impeached on December 14 for declaring martial law on December 3, has pushed South Korea's once-vibrant democratic success story into uncharted territory.

Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok, who assumed the position of acting president while the cases of Yoon and Han are considered by the Constitutional Court, convened the National Security Council, spoke with key officials including military leaders and vowed to do everything in his power to stabilize state affairs.