South Korean parliament passes motion seeking dismissal of prime minister

By Anadolu staff

South Korea’s parliament on Thursday passed a motion calling for the dismissal of Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, citing alleged incompetence in his role as head of the Cabinet, local media said.

The motion was passed by a vote of 175-116, while four lawmakers abstained, Seoul-based Yonhap News reported.

However, it is expected that President Yoon Suk-yeol will reject parliament’s call to dismiss the premier.

In its motion, the Opposition Democratic Party (DP) said Han is responsible for what it called the Yoon administration's policy failures, including the response to Japan's recent release of radioactive water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant and the mismanagement of last month's World Scout Jamboree, according to reports.

The ruling People Power Party pushed back at the claim and accused the opposition of trying to blunt the impact of bad news about Lee Jae-myung, their leader.

On Monday, the DP, which holds a majority in the National Assembly, submitted the motion recommending Han's dismissal, hours after prosecutors sought an arrest warrant for opposition leader party leader Lee over corruption allegations.

On Tuesday, President Yoon Suk-yeol signed a motion requesting parliamentary consent to arrest Lee. A vote on a motion to arrest Lee is expected to be held on Thursday.

Over the last year, the opposition passed two dismissal motions, one against Foreign Minister Park Jin and another against Interior Minister Lee Sang-min. Both were rejected by the president.

*Writing by Islamuddin Sajid