South Korea opposition moves to impeach acting president

South Korean opposition parties raised a motion to impeach Acting President Choi Sang-mok on March 21, the majority Democratic Party said, in a move likely to escalate recent political strife in the country.

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Although the motion started a process that would lead to a vote by Parliament to pass it by a simple majority, the timetable was not immediately clear.

Mr Choi, who is the Finance Minister, has been leading the country after President Yoon Suk Yeol was impeached over a short-lived martial law he declared in December 2024.

Mr Choi has angered opposition parties, which have a commanding majority in Parliament, by repeatedly vetoing Bills and holding off appointing a Constitutional Court justice approved by the assembly which is viewed as liberal-leaning.

His office said it had no comment. On March 20, Mr Choi said his focus is entirely on stabilising the country, which is in the midst of international and domestic turbulence, calling it a "luxury" for him to think about his future.