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If the impeachment of Acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo becomes a reality on the 27th, Choi Sang-mok, the next in the government protocol order as Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs and Minister of Economy and Finance, will assume the role of Acting President. The Democratic Party of Korea has already pressured Deputy Prime Minister Choi to fulfill the duties of Acting President, such as appointing constitutional court justices and promulgating the special prosecutor law for Kim Geon-hee. Some opposition factions have voiced that if Deputy Prime Minister Choi also fails to comply with procedures like implementing the special prosecutor law following Acting President Han, a 'chain impeachment' will be inevitable.

Park Chan-dae, the floor leader of the Democratic Party, said at the Supreme Council meeting that day, "The National Assembly will impeach Acting Prime Minister Han Duck-soo for treason at today's plenary session," and urged, "Deputy Prime Minister Choi must appoint the National Assembly's constitutional court justice immediately upon assuming the role of Acting President and proceed with the recommendation for the standing special prosecutor." He warned, "The appointment of constitutional court justices is a constitutional duty, and the prompt recommendation for the standing special prosecutor is a legal obligation. Delaying or refusing these actions violates the constitution and laws."

The National Assembly will hold a plenary session that afternoon to vote on the impeachment motion against Acting President Han, who has refused to appoint the three constitutional court justices recommended by the National Assembly. The impeachment motion, led by the opposition, is likely to pass in the plenary session that day. According to Article 26 of the Government Organization Act, Deputy Prime Minister Choi will succeed as Acting President. The unprecedented 'acting president of the acting president' situation has yet to even finalize Deputy Prime Minister Choi’s official title.

Once Deputy Prime Minister Choi assumes the role of Acting President, the People Power Party is likely to question the appropriateness of exercising presidential authority without National Assembly approval. While the Prime Minister is appointed by the President with the consent of the majority of the National Assembly, the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs does not undergo a confirmation process, raising concerns about the legitimacy of acting as a 'representative of the people.'

Choi Sang-mok, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs and Minister of Strategy and Finance, is attending the Private-Public Council for Revitalizing the Domestic Economy held at the National Assembly on the 27th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

The Democratic Party expects Deputy Prime Minister Choi to cooperate more in the impeachment crisis than Acting President Han. They pointed out that he was the first to voice opposition during the State Council meeting at the time of martial law. However, the Democratic Party emphasized that if Deputy Prime Minister Choi delays appointing constitutional court justices or fails to promulgate the special prosecutor laws for treason and Kim Geon-hee, he could also become a target of impeachment. If Deputy Prime Minister Choi is impeached as well, according to the protocol order, Lee Ju-ho, Deputy Prime Minister for Social Affairs and Minister of Education, will assume the role of Acting President.

Some opposition factions have even suggested the possibility of impeaching all five cabinet members depending on the situation. If all cabinet members are suspended from duty, the State Council would be unable to pass agenda items, leading to the automatic promulgation of government bills. However, this is considered a last resort within the party due to the uncontrollable aftershocks it would have on the livelihood economy.

Even if Deputy Prime Minister Choi exercises the authority of Acting President, the external economy is expected to take a direct hit. The won-dollar exchange rate has already surged to 1,478 won as of that day. The exchange rate surpassing the 1,470 won level is the first time in 15 years and 9 months since March 13, 2009 (1,483.5 won) during the global financial crisis. The excessive workload of handling three roles raises concerns about whether he can effectively control diplomacy, defense, and security fields. Deputy Prime Minister Choi warned that "if Acting President Han is impeached, serious damage to the national economy and state affairs is inevitable."