South Korean politics is likely to be confrontational and chaotic for the near future after the country’s constitutional court held its first meeting on Monday on the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol.
The National Assembly passed a motion to impeach Yun on Saturday, 11 days after declaring martial law, but it was overturned just hours later. However, it is up to the court to decide whether Yoon should be removed from office or his powers restored.
Meanwhile, Yoon has been suspended from his duties and Han Dak-soo, previously the Prime Minister, is now the acting President of South Korea.
Han Dong-hoon, leader of the ruling People’s Power Party (PPP), resigned from the role on Monday “due to the collapse of the party’s Supreme Council.”
He vowed to “dedicate all his energy and efforts to ensuring stability” – although analysts say the opposition Democratic Party knows its government is in danger and will accept nothing less than a general election.
supported the democratic party
With over 70% of the South Korean public calling for Yoon to be impeached, there is no doubt that the opposition Democratic Party will come to power under the leadership of Lee Jae-myung, even with legal issues hanging over their heads.
“Yun’s impeachment is not the end of South Korea’s political turmoil. It is also not the beginning of the end, which will ultimately include the election of a new president,” said Leif-Eric Easley, professor of international studies at Ewha Womans University. In Seoul.
And while he praised the “peaceful street protests” that have emerged as the country’s democracy is under threat, Easley cautioned, however, that the deep polarization that exists in South Korean society today remains a danger.
“While it should be expected that a legislative opposition will use its investigative and budgetary powers in the conflict amid partisan agendas, there must be accountability mechanisms against creating prolonged government dysfunction and paralysis,” he told DW.
what happens next?
By law, the Constitutional Court has six months to render its decision, although previous claims against presidents have been handed down much more quickly, allowing for a faster return to political normality.
If Yun’s impeachment is confirmed, a general election would have to be held within two months. And even though the case against Yoon looks strong, there are complications.
The court normally consists of nine judges, with seven judges required to make a final decision. However, the court currently has only six judges, as the Democratic Party has been in dispute with the government in recent months demanding that it be allowed to appoint additional judges.
court of deliberate impeachment
The court has said it has the authority to reach any conclusion on Yoon’s impeachment, although defeating the motion would only require one judge to vote against it. Yoon had previously nominated three judges to the court.
Kim Sang-woo, a former politician with the left-leaning South Korean Congress for New Politics and now a Kim board member, agreed, saying, “It is very likely that there will be a lot of confusion going forward.” Dae-Jung Peace Foundation.
For now, the Democratic Party has said it will not seek impeachment proceedings against Han and other Cabinet members in the interest of ensuring the functioning of the government. However, Kim says that could change.
“Li has said he will not investigate further, but he may change his mind if the acting president does not act according to his party’s wishes,” he told DW. “If this happens, the functioning of the government may be paralyzed as decisions cannot be made or implemented.
“If the administration is so delicate, who has the responsibility for the conduct of foreign affairs?” he asked. “It is clear that some confusion will persist for some time.”
Lee and the opposition are already campaigning for a general election as the Democratic Party leader has been accused of bribery, corruption, breach of trust and conflict of interest, including providing $8 million (€7.6 million) to the North. Case is also included. Korea. Lee has denied all the allegations.
Opposition leaders convicted
In November, Lee was convicted of making false statements during his 2022 presidential campaign and given a one-year suspended prison sentence. He is appealing that decision, but if it is confirmed, he would be ineligible to serve as president. If, however, they are selected before the verdict is handed down, the cases will be tried under Korean law.
There are already signs of rift between the two parties, with the PPP rejecting the Democratic Party’s proposal to form a joint consultative governing body to stabilize the affairs of the state on the grounds that it is still the ruling party . Yet the PPP – which was founded in 2020 through the merger of a group of conservative parties – is plagued by internal fighting over Yun’s impeachment and, some suggest, is on the verge of collapse.
“The situation is very difficult and I can only hope that as the court does its work, things will start to settle down,” Kim said.
“The good thing is that for the average South Korean citizen, life continues as normal, as if nothing has happened,” he said. “Our lives have not been affected and we do not feel any threat. People just want the process to continue and hope that the situation remains peaceful.”
Edited by: Keith Walker
