South Korean Assembly begins unprecedented impeachment vote against president

Associated Press | March 11, 2004

[HAL9000]

SEOUL, South Korea -- South Korean parliament began an unprecedented impeachment vote against President Roh Moo-hyun on illegal electioneering and incompetence charges Friday.

The voting took place while pro-Roh lawmakers who earlier tried to block the vote where held outside the chamber by National Assembly security officers.

If the impeachment bill is passed, Roh's powers would be frozen and the constitutional court would make a final decision on whether he must step down.

A shoving match was sparked earlier when pro-Roh Uri Party members tried to stop Assembly Speaker Park Kwan-yong from taking the podium, the only place he can call a vote.

Assembly security officers then moved in to begin removing lawmakers trying to block his progress. Park had warned Thursday that he may exercise his right to have security officials clear the lawmakers.

Live television footage showed huddles of suited lawmakers crushed behind the podium as security officers dragged out screaming Uri members one by one.

The tense standoff over South Korea's first presidential impeachment bid entered its final stretch Friday.

Lawmakers loyal to Roh had planned to stymie debate and stall for time in the hope that the ouster motion would automatically expire via sunset clause on Friday evening. If the National Assembly fails to act on the bill by Friday evening, the bill automatically dies.

As the clock ticked for opposition members to call a vote, rival factions cursed and shoved as they fought for the parliamentary speaker's podium.

Dozens of pro-Roh Uri Party members had camped out around the podium overnight after South Korea's two main opposition parties first tried to call a vote on Thursday but were blocked.

[rogue yam]

They really seem to have a different approach to democracy than we do.