South Korea opposition brings motion to impeach acting president

South Korean opposition parties raised a motion to impeach acting President Choi Sang-mok on Friday, the majority Democratic Party said, in a move likely to escalate recent political strife in the country, Reuters reports.

Although the motion starts a process that would lead to a vote by parliament to pass it by a simple majority, the timetable was not immediately clear.

Choi, who is also the finance minister, has been leading the country after President Yoon Suk Yeol was impeached over a short-lived martial law he declared in December.

The acting president has angered opposition parties, which have a commanding majority in parliament, by repeatedly vetoing bills and holding off appointing a Constitutional Court justice approved by the assembly who is viewed as liberal-leaning, according to Reuters.

Choi's office said it had no comment.

On Thursday, Choi said his focus is entirely on stabilising the country, which is in the midst of international and domestic turbulence, calling it a "luxury" for him to think about his future.

The court is reviewing Yoon's impeachment and is expected to deliver its ruling soon on whether to permanently remove him from office or reinstate him.