South Korea’s National Assembly voted on Friday to impeach acting President Han Duck-soo, intensifying the political turmoil that has gripped the country since the impeachment of his predecessor, President Yoon Suk Yeol.

The National Assembly unanimously approved the impeachment, with all 192 lawmakers supporting the motion. Members of the ruling People Power Party (PPP) boycotted the session and protested the decision. Han will lose his presidential powers pending a ruling from the Constitutional Court on whether to uphold or overturn the impeachment.

The impeachment proceedings stemmed from Han’s refusal to appoint three judges to fill vacancies on the Constitutional Court, which is crucial for overseeing Yoon’s impeachment process. The opposition Democratic Party accused Han of obstructing justice and failing to fulfill his responsibilities by not advancing Yoon’s impeachment. The court currently lacks a full panel of nine judges, which is necessary for a decisive ruling on Yoon’s case. With only six judges available, any dissenting vote could prevent Yoon’s removal from office.

Han assumed the presidency following Yoon’s impeachment earlier this month, which was triggered by Yoon’s controversial declaration of martial law on December 3. This declaration, which lasted only six hours, sparked widespread public protests and highlighted significant divisions within South Korean society regarding governance and accountability. The martial law declaration was widely perceived as an overreach of presidential power, and led to calls for greater political reform.

The political landscape in South Korea has become increasingly unstable as both major parties grapple with the fallout from these events. The PPP has argued that Han should not be able to make judicial appointments. At the same time, Yoon remains in office and asserts that such powers are reserved for a duly elected president. Opposition lawmakers contend that Han’s failure to act has undermined constitutional order and further destabilized the nation.

The context surrounding this issue highlights a protracted conflict among the political factions in South Korea. Following the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol, the Democratic Party has garnered substantial public support, as a significant portion of the populace has expressed dissatisfaction with the ruling party’s management of governance and civil liberties.

As political tensions escalate, the situation remains dynamic, potentially affecting future electoral outcomes and governance structures in South Korea. The Constitutional Court is anticipated to assess these impeachments in the upcoming weeks, which will determine the political future of both Yoon and Han.