South Korea impeaches acting President Han Dak-soo

South Korean lawmakers voted on Friday to impeach acting President Han Dak-soo, the second impeachment of the head of state this month after a short-lived military decree issued on December 3. According to the South Korean news agency Yonhap.

Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok will serve as acting president, in accordance with South Korean law.

Han's predecessor, President Yoon Suk-yul, was impeached Just two weeks agoafter imposing martial law for six hours at the beginning of the month for the first time since the 1979 military coup, citing the need to “protect the constitutional order based on freedom and eliminate the shameful anti-state groups loyal to North Korea,” who “steal the freedom and happiness of our people.” According to NBC News.

Opposition lawmakers filed a motion against Han on Thursday over the acting president's reluctance to immediately appoint three judges to the Constitutional Court, which is preparing to begin deliberations on whether to uphold Yoon's impeachment or return him to office. Han's ruling People Power Party says filling vacancies on the Constitutional Court exceeds Han's term as acting president.

A simple majority of 151 votes, rather than two-thirds of parliamentary support, was needed to pass Friday's vote. The Assembly approved the motion to dismiss Han by a majority of 192 votes to zero, while ruling party deputies boycotted the elections. According to Yonhap update translated by Google. Acting Han said he would respect Friday's decision, the agency reported.

Han's impeachment plunges South Korea into renewed political turmoil, shaking the foundations of its democratic success story and sending the Korean won down 0.40% to 1,472.22 after Friday's news. South Korea Cosby Decreased by 1.02% During the Friday session.

This breaking news story is being updated.