Democratic Party floor leader Park Chan-dae speaks at a party meeting at the National Assembly in Seoul on Dec. 24, 2024. Yonhap

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SEOUL, December 24 (AJP) - The main opposition Democratic Party (DP) vowed on Tuesday to take immediate steps to impeach Acting President Han Duck-soo.

"Han made it clear at a Cabinet meeting that he will not promulgate the bills," the DP's floor leader Park Chan-dae said. "The only interpretation of this is that he intends to buy time."

The development comes after Han refused the DP's demand to promulgate two bills for investigations by independent prosecutors into President Yoon Suk Yeol's aborted declaration of martial law earlier this month and several allegations involving first lady Kim Keon Hee, who has been embroiled in a string of controversies including the acceptance of a luxury handbag and involvement in a stock manipulation scheme.

Han assumed the role after a motion to impeach the embattled president was passed in the National Assembly on Dec. 14.

After internal discussions, the DP declared its intention to submit a motion to impeach the Acting President on Thursday.

Earlier in the day, some DP lawmakers had hinted that it will depend on whether Han proceeds with or postpones the appointments of judges to the Constitutional Court of Korea, which are expected to be confirmed later this week.

The DP is pushing to fill the court's three vacant seats, as it currently has only six sitting justices out of the nine, requiring a unanimous decision to uphold Yoon's impeachment.

Meanwhile, Yoon, who was asked to appear for questioning on Christmas Day, is unlikely to respond to a summons from prosecutors.

Seok Dong-hyun, a lawyer and long-time friend of Yoon, told reporters at his office later in the day, "I believe it will be difficult for him to appear for questioning." He added, "Yoon believes the court's impeachment trial comes first," suggesting that he may stall his response until the court concludes its deliberations.
Kim Joo-heon Reporter jhkim123@ajunews.com

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