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South Korean lawmakers impeached acting president Han Duck-soo on Friday, sinking the country even deeper into political crisis two weeks after his predecessor was suspended over a martial law declaration that shocked the world. Han, a career bureaucrat who was serving as prime minister, took over from President Yoon Suk Yeol on December 14 after parliament voted to impeach him on allegations of insurrection. Opposition MPs have now also stripped Han of his duties, arguing that he refused demands to complete Yoon's impeachment process and to bring him to justice. "I announce that Prime Minister Han Duck-soo's impeachment motion has passed. Out of the 192 lawmakers who voted, 192 voted to impeach," said National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik. Lawmakers from the ruling People's Power Party (PPP) loudly protested in parliament after the speaker said only a simple majority was required for impeachment to pass, instead of the two-thirds required to remove Yoon. PPP lawmakers began chanting angrily, with many rushing towards Woo, demanding that he resign. They did not take part in the vote. In addition to being the second impeachment of a head of state in just two weeks, Friday's vote was also South Korea's first impeachment of an acting president. PPP leader Kweon Seong-dong said after the vote that Han "must continue to lead state affairs without yielding to the opposition's passage of the impeachment motion". However, Han said in a statement that he "respects the parliament's decision" and would wait for the Constitutional Court's subsequent decision on whether to uphold it. Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok, who is now stepping into the roles of both acting president and prime minister, pledged to do all he can to end the political upheaval gripping his country. "Minimising governmental turmoil is of utmost importance at this moment," Choi said in an address shortly after his appointment as acting leader, adding that "the government will also dedicate all its efforts to overcoming this period of turmoil." Amid the ongoing crisis, South Korea's won touched a 16-year low against the US dollar on Friday, faring worse than in the immediate aftermath of Yoon's martial law declaration, which sent the currency sliding to a two-year low against the greenback. Seoul's stocks also tumbled, with the KOSPI Index closing down by 1.02 percent on Friday. At the heart of the backlash against Han was his refusal to appoint additional judges to the Constitutional Court, which will decide whether to uphold parliament's decision to impeach Yoon, and now Han as well. The court is currently short of three judges. While it can go ahead with its six members on the bench, a single dissenting vote would reinstate Yoon. The opposition wanted Han to approve three more nominees to fill the nine-member bench, which he had refused to do, leaving both sides in deadlock. Han's refusal to formally appoint more judges "revealed his true colours", said Democratic Party lawmaker Jo Seoung-lae. The refusal "is a direct challenge to the Constitution and the law", said Jo. The opposition said in its impeachment motion that Han was "intentionally avoiding the special investigation to probe those involved in the insurrection and has clearly stated his intention to reject the appointments of three Constitutional Court judges". Such actions, it said, were "in violation of a public official's duty to uphold the law... and serve the public". Han had said he wanted his PPP and the opposition to reach a compromise on the nominees. "The consistent principle embedded in our constitution and laws is to refrain from exercising significant exclusive presidential powers, including the appointment of constitutional institutions," he argued. The United States affirmed its "ironclad" commitment to South Korea, a key strategic ally against North Korea and China, after news of Han's impeachment. "We reiterate our support for the Republic of Korea (ROK), its citizens and democratic processes, and the rule of law," Pentagon spokesman Major Pete Nguyen said in a statement, referring to the South by its official name. A US State Department spokesperson said Washington is "ready to work with Acting President Choi and the ROK government". South Korea's Constitutional Court held its first preliminary hearing on the validity of Yoon's impeachment on Friday, despite the latest controversy, with the suspended president's legal team attending. You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link in the footer of our emails. We use as our marketing platform. By subscribing, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing.
OTTAWA, ON , Dec. 3, 2024 /PRNewswire/ - China's recent decision to ban exports of gallium, germanium, antimony, and other high-tech materials with potential military applications in retaliation for U.S. restrictions on semiconductor-related exports, underscores the precariousness of global supply chains. This development highlights the vital role of the Canada-U.S. trade relationship in addressing supply chain vulnerabilities. China's actions serve as a stark reminder of the challenges posed by geopolitical tensions, particularly on the reliable supply of critical minerals. These materials are essential not only for technological innovation and economic growth but also for defense applications critical to national security. Canada has long been a dependable partner, providing certainty to U.S. manufacturing and defense industries by serving as a major supplier of minerals and metals. In 2022, 52% of Canada's mineral exports—valued at over $80 billion—were destined for the U.S.. Strengthening the free flow of minerals and metals between Canada and the U.S. is more critical than ever. Imposing tariffs on Canadian mineral and metal exports to the U.S. would run counter to the shared goals of secure and reliable supply chains. Such measures risk disrupting the essential flow of these resources, undermining the competitiveness of North American industries, and exacerbating vulnerabilities in critical mineral supply chains that both nations are working to address. The partnership on critical minerals between Canada and the U.S. began in earnest with the development of the Joint Action Plan on Critical Minerals Collaboration in 2020 under President Trump. This collaboration has continued under the Biden administration, demonstrating the enduring importance of this strategic alliance. As the U.S. prepares for a new administration, we look forward to working closely with the incoming Trump administration to build on this foundation, ensuring the resilience of critical mineral supply chains and supporting shared economic and defense priorities. "The minerals and metals industry in Canada stands ready to strengthen our partnership with the United States , ensuring the free flow of these essential resources that drive economic growth, defense capabilities, and technological advancement on both sides of the border. The security and well-being of all Canadians and Americans depends on it." said Pierre Gratton , President and CEO of MAC. The mining industry is a major sector of Canada's economy, contributing $161 billion to the national GDP and is responsible for 21 percent of Canada's total domestic exports. Canada's mining sector employs 694,000 people directly and indirectly across the country. The industry is proportionally the largest private sector employer of Indigenous peoples in Canada and a major customer of Indigenous-owned businesses. About MAC The Mining Association of Canada is the national organization for the Canadian mining industry. Its members account for most of Canada's production of base and precious metals, uranium, diamonds, metallurgical coal, mined oil sands and industrial minerals and are actively engaged in mineral exploration, mining, smelting, refining and semi-fabrication. Please visit www.mining.ca . View original content to download multimedia: https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/strengthening-canada-us-critical-mineral-partnership-amid-rising-geopolitical-tensions-302321578.html SOURCE The Mining Association of Canada
How the stock market defied expectations again this year, by the numbersCHICAGO — Then-powerful House Speaker Michael Madigan was intimately involved in the process of recommending people to sit on state board and commissions and kept a running list that eventually totaled 91 names after JB Pritzker won the election for governor in 2018, Madigan’s ex-chief of staff testified Wednesday. Madigan would have his staffers keep close tabs on which seats were coming open and would routinely make recommendations about who should fill them, Jessica Basham, who left the speaker’s office in 2021 and is now a lobbyist, told jurors in her ex-boss’ corruption trial. Unbeknownst to Madigan, Solis was wearing a wire for the FBI, and his request for the recommendation was part of an FBI ruse. Madigan, 82, of Chicago, who served for decades as speaker of the Illinois House before stepping down in 2021, faces a wide array of racketeering charges alleging he used his significant political and governmental power to execute a number of corrupt schemes. He is charged alongside Michael McClain, 77, a former ComEd contract lobbyist from downstate Quincy, who for years was one of Madigan’s closest confidants. Both men have pleaded not guilty and denied wrongdoing. Prosecutors on Wednesday displayed internal memos about state boards and commissions as well as lists of Madigan’s recommendations to Pritzker, a Democrat who took office in 2019. Solis did not appear on the lists — likely because in January 2019, his cooperation with federal investigators had become publicly known. But jurors have previously watched undercover video in which Solis asked Madigan for help getting on a state board that paid at least $100,000, including either the Labor Relations Board or the Illinois Commerce Commission. Prosecutors have also presented evidence that Madigan sent Solis information about state boards and commissions in response. The indictment against Madigan alleges he sat down with Pritzker in December 2018 and mentioned Solis as a candidate for a board. Prosecutors said Wednesday that they intend to call U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinski (D-Springfield) to the stand, who is expected to testify about that meeting. Budzinski was a key Pritzker aide before being seated in Congress. Among the names on Madigan’s recommendation list was Madigan’s wife Shirley, who served on the Illinois Arts Council, and Carrie Zalewski, the wife of state Rep. Michael Zalewski, who was appointed to head the Illinois Commerce Commission, which determines rates that can be charged by utilities like Commonwealth Edison. Madigan and McClain are charged with getting utility giant ComEd to hire Zalewski’s father, former Ald. Michael Zalewski Sr., as a no-work subcontractor, which prosecutors allege ComEd did to sway Madigan’s support for utility-friendly legislation. Also on Madigan’s list was Carol Sente, a former Democratic state representative who was recommended for a “position at DCEO (not Director).” Sente testified for the prosecution earlier in Madigan’s trial about the workings of the General Assembly and the power Madigan wielded there. On cross-examination, Basham was shown notes she made in 2019 that tracked which of Madigan’s 91 recommendations for state boards and other positions in Pritzker’s administration were successful. Only about 47 percent of the people Madigan suggested actually were named to state boards, according to Basham’s notes. Defense attorneys also took the chance to boost Madigan’s image for jurors, eliciting testimony from Basham about his work ethic and values. “I don’t think anybody works harder than Mike Madigan,” she said. The trial, which began Oct. 8, might be coming to a speedier end than anticipated. Prosecutors said Wednesday they plan to wrap up their case in chief next week, though attorneys have discussed the potential for last-minute scheduling changes that could alter that estimate. Solis, meanwhile, left the stand Tuesday after lengthy testimony about his undercover recordings. Get Government & Politics updates in your inbox! Stay up-to-date on the latest in local and national government and political topics with our newsletter.
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