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| ▲ Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok (C) speaks during a press conference at the government complex building in Seoul on Dec. 27, 2024. (Yonhap) |
(2nd LD) finance minister-impeachment motion
(2nd LD) Finance minister asks opposition-controlled parliament to reconsider acting president's impeachment
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By Kim Han-joo
SEOUL, Dec. 27 (Yonhap) -- Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok on Friday called on the opposition-controlled National Assembly to reconsider its decision to vote on an impeachment motion against acting President Han Duck-soo, saying that such a move would deal a significant blow to the country's economy and security.
Choi spoke on behalf of Cabinet members, as parliament is set to vote on Han's impeachment later in the day over his refusal to appoint Constitutional Court justices that will adjudicate President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment trial.
"In a time of global trade wars and national emergencies, the absence of a control tower for state affairs would cause severe damage to our country's credibility, economy, national security and governance continuity," Choi said during a press briefing.
The minister highlighted heightened volatility in South Korea's economy, pointing to the depreciation of the Korean won, which fell to its lowest level in nearly 16 years.
The currency opened at 1,467.5 won per U.S. dollar, down 2.7 won from the previous session, and weakened further to 1,480.2 won as of 10:58 a.m.
"An impeachment motion against the acting president equates to a motion against the entire Cabinet," he said.
Choi further appealed to both ruling and opposition parties to cooperate and allow the government to focus solely on economic stability and public welfare.
If the motion is approved, it would mark the first time in South Korea's constitutional history that an acting president faces impeachment.
Choi, who doubles as deputy prime minister for economic affairs, would assume the role of acting president if Han is impeached.
However, the impeachment motion raises legal questions, as public officials can be impeached with a simple majority in the National Assembly, while the impeachment of presidents requires a two-thirds majority.
The main opposition Democratic Party, which controls 170 of the Assembly's 300 seats, expects the motion to pass easily. However, the ruling party contends that the stricter threshold for impeaching presidents should apply in the case.
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