South Korea has voted to impeach its acting president Han Duck-soo, deepening the country’s political turmoil just two weeks after President Yoon Suk Yeol was similarly impeached.

The impeachment motion against Han passed with 192 votes, surpassing the 151 required. Han had stepped into the role following Yoon’s impeachment on December 3, after Yoon’s controversial attempt to impose martial law.

Opposition lawmakers accused Han of obstructing efforts to finalize Yoon’s impeachment process. Key among their grievances was Han’s decision to block the appointment of three parliamentary-nominated judges intended to oversee Yoon’s case. With the Constitutional Court currently comprising only six judges instead of the usual nine, opposition parties hoped the additional judges would increase the likelihood of upholding Yoon’s impeachment.

For Yoon’s impeachment to stand, at least six of the court’s judges must support it. However, the current six-member bench means a single dissenting vote could prevent his removal.

Han’s impeachment marks the first time an acting president has been impeached since South Korea’s transition to democracy. Upon notification from parliament, Han will be officially suspended from his duties. Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok is expected to step in as acting president.

As with Yoon, Han’s impeachment must be confirmed by the Constitutional Court, which has 180 days to make a ruling. Han expressed his respect for the assembly’s decision, stating, “I will wait for the Constitutional Court’s decision” and promising to step back from his duties to avoid exacerbating the nation’s political uncertainty.

Azerbaijan Airlines has attributed the deadly crash of its Embraer jet in Kazakhstan on December 25 to “physical and technical external interference,” according to preliminary investigations. The crash claimed 38 lives and left 29 survivors when the plane went down just 3 kilometers (1.9 miles) short of the runway at Aktau airport, engulfed in flames.

The ill-fated flight initially attempted to land at Grozny airport in southern Russia but was diverted across the Caspian Sea to Kazakhstan due to adverse conditions. Witnesses near Grozny reported an explosion before the plane’s diversion.

Russia’s civil aviation agency chief, Dmitry Yadrov, stated on Friday that Grozny was under a “very complicated” situation. He cited ongoing Ukrainian drone attacks targeting civilian infrastructure in Grozny and Vladikavkaz, prompting the implementation of a closed-skies protocol, known as the “Carpet plan.” The region also experienced dense fog, complicating aviation operations further.

Azerbaijan Airlines has refrained from explicitly accusing Russia of involvement, likely to avoid diplomatic tensions. However, aviation experts and Azerbaijani media suggest the crash may have been caused by shrapnel from a Russian air-defense missile explosion.

“Missile fragments could have damaged the plane’s hydraulic system, which is critical for control,” explained Tahir Agaguliev, a veteran Azerbaijani pilot, in a local media interview.

Survivors of the crash have supported claims of external interference. Flight attendant Zulfuqar Asadov described the moments of impact, recalling, “The plane was hit by some kind of external strike, causing panic among passengers. While we were trying to calm them, another strike occurred, injuring my arm.”

Guatemalan police have successfully resisted an attempted recapture of 160 children rescued from the controversial Lev Tahor sect, known for its extremist practices and alleged abuse.

The children were placed in protective care after a police raid on Friday at the sect’s farm in Oratorio, southeast of Guatemala City. Authorities conducted the operation following allegations of abuse, including forced pregnancies, child mistreatment, and rape. Interior Minister Francisco Jimenez confirmed that the children were reportedly being harmed by a member of the sect.

On Sunday, tensions escalated when approximately 100 sect members, including relatives of the children, gathered outside the care center demanding their return. Some forced their way into the facility, leading to clashes with law enforcement. Authorities swiftly intervened, relocating the children to safety in a secure vehicle.

Lev Tahor, notorious for imposing harsh conditions on its followers, advocates child marriage, enforces strict dress codes for women and girls as young as three, and punishes minor transgressions severely. The sect has faced investigations for serious sexual offenses across multiple countries.

The Jewish Community of Guatemala has distanced itself from Lev Tahor, emphasizing its lack of affiliation with the group. In a statement, the community expressed support for the authorities’ efforts to protect vulnerable children and others at risk.

Prosecutors revealed that prior attempts to check on the children’s wellbeing were obstructed by sect members, heightening concerns for their safety. Officials estimate the sect comprises about 50 families living in Guatemala, the US, Canada, and elsewhere.

This incident follows a 2022 operation in Mexico’s Chiapas state, where Lev Tahor members were arrested but later released due to insufficient evidence.