South Korea's new acting president takes office

South Korea's Finance Minister and Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs Choi Sang-mok began his duties as acting president of the country on December 27. This was announced by the South Korean Ministry of Finance after the impeachment of Acting President Han Dok-soo, which was adopted by the opposition-controlled National Assembly, indicates the agency "Rönhap".

It is noted that Choi Sang-mok is scheduled to meet with Han Dok-soo on his first day of work to hand over his powers. For now, Han Dok-soo is considered suspended from his duties. The decision to impeach him will be further reviewed by the Constitutional Court, which will rule within 180 days after the case is filed.

"I respect the National Assembly's decision and in order not to add to the confusion and uncertainty, I will suspend my duties in accordance with relevant laws and wait for the Constitutional Court's quick and wise decision," Han Dok-soo was quoted as saying by the Roehnhap News Agency.

Afterward, Choi Sang-mok will hold telephone talks with the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and give orders to ministers. The new acting president is also expected to issue a written address to the public. In addition, he should convene the National Security Council for a meeting.

Failed in his duties: South Korea impeaches acting president

He only lasted two weeks in power

Han Dok Suh's impeachment was announced earlier in the day. 192 lawmakers voted in favor of his removal; 151 votes were needed for the decision. The politician, in turn, said that he respects the decision of Parliament and will wait for the verdict of the Constitutional Court.

Political scientist Daria Kurginova, an expert at the Polylog Group, told Izvestia that the reason for Han Dok-soo's impeachment was his veto of several Democratic Party initiatives and his sabotage of the impeachment procedure against his predecessor, Yoon Seok-yeol. He added that next, one scenario would see the conservatives and Democrats reach a compromise, approve constitutional judges and complete the impeachment process against Yoon Seok-yeol.

The situation in the Republic of Korea escalated in early December, when President Yun Seok-yol declared martial law. The reason for such a step he called the threat of paralysis of power, arising from attempts to conduct impeachment proceedings. The commander of the emergency regime - Chief of Staff of the Ground Forces Park Ahn Soo - noted that until martial law is lifted in the republic, the activities of the parliament, political parties and associations are prohibited. Military equipment was brought to the streets of Seoul.