South Korean Acting President Han Deok-soo held a phone conversation with US President Joe Biden on Sunday, according to a statement issued by Han’s office.
Acting President Han said, “South Korea will carry out its foreign and security policies without compromise and will strive to ensure that the South Korea-US alliance is maintained and firmly developed.”
The development comes amid South Korea’s parliament impeaching President Yoon Suk-yeol, who is accused of declaring martial law in the country and creating political turmoil amid growing unrest.
President Biden reiterated the United States’ support for South Korea and their ironclad alliance remains intact. The US will work with South Korea to develop and strengthen their partnership, as well as advance trilateral cooperation between South Korea, Japan and the United States, Biden added.
People hold signs outside the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, ahead of a rally to demand the impeachment of South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol. (AP)
After members of the National Assembly blocked Yoon Suk-yeol’s short-lived martial law, with the passage of the second impeachment resolution, Yoon’s presidential powers are suspended and he cannot exercise them, as the constitution gives the prime minister responsibility. Acting President.
The impeachment motion against Yun was passed by a vote of 204-85 in the National Assembly. According to the AP, the court now has 180 days to rule on Yun’s case and decide whether to fire her or restore her powers. If Yun loses the case, national elections will be held in two months’ time.
Yun had previously been barred from leaving the country by South Korean agencies as they investigated whether others involved in the declaration of martial law committed rebellion and abuse of power.
However, the impeachment motion accuses Yoon of “committing a series of riots and rebellion to disturb the peace in the Republic of Korea.”
The first impeachment motion brought by the opposition coalition failed after the ruling party boycotted the vote.
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