S. Korea sees 3rd power shift this month as Choi Sang-mok takes over amid turmoil

South Korea‘s vice premier and finance minister, Choi Sang-mok, assumed the duties of acting president on Friday, just hours after the nation’s acting president was impeached. This marks the third transfer of presidential power in South Korea this month.

Choi, who also serves as minister of strategy and finance, replaced Han Duck-soo, who was impeached for refusing to appoint three judges to the Constitutional Court. The court is currently overseeing the impeachment trial of suspended President Yoon Suk Yeol.

The impeachment motion against Han also accused him of involvement in a failed martial law declaration earlier this month and his refusal to appoint special counsels to investigate Yoon and his wife, Kim Keon-hee.

Led by the Democratic Party, the opposition bloc holds a majority in the 300-seat parliament. Impeaching an acting president requires a simple majority of 151 votes, unlike the impeachment of an elected president, which demands at least 200 votes to suspend presidential powers.

Since December 3, South Korea has seen presidential powers shift three times, starting when Yoon briefly imposed martial law before parliament quickly overturned the move.

“The government will do its best to ensure national stability,” Choi said after taking office, according to Yonhap News Agency.

Choi also spoke with Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Kim Myung-soo, stressing the importance of South Korea’s strong alliance with the United States, which maintains about 28,500 troops in the country.

“Readiness posture should be maintained to prevent North Korea from making any rash moves,” Choi told military officials.

If Choi maintains a cooperative relationship with the opposition-controlled parliament, he could remain in office until the Constitutional Court rules on Yoon’s impeachment. Yoon faces charges of treason and insurrection.

With only six judges currently sitting out of a total capacity of nine, the court may take up to six months to reach a decision. Should the court uphold Yoon’s December 14 impeachment, fresh presidential elections must be held within two months of the ruling.