South Korea is fighting the longest presidential impeachment trial in its history. The Constitutional Court is currently delinquent in delivering judgment on President Yoon Suk Yeol. If convicted — as widely expected — he must resign, triggering an election in 60 days.
Imposition of martial law shocked the nation. It was earlier imposed in 1979 by Prime Minister Choi Kyu-hah following the assassination of President Park Chung-hee, who had seized power in a coup in 1961. Yoon has not yet been formally removed from the office. Public opinion has overwhelmingly been in favor of impeachment, with opinion polls running 58% for and 37% against.
While domestic reform is the pressing concern, Yoon’s removal could have far-reaching implications on foreign affairs too. His administration worked towards intensified relations with Japan and the US, locking in a crucial trilateral alliance to push back against regional threats. Yoon’s government put much political capital into improving traditionally testy relations with Japan, jointly with the Biden White House in bringing the three nations together for a summit. Beijing bristled at what it saw as US hegemony in East Asia — but clandestinely the offer was received positively in capitals throughout the region. That record stands threatened, however, even if recent trilateral naval exercises signal all is not yet lost on this axis.
Before South Korea can mend its international reputation, it needs to resolve this domestic strife. Power is highly centralized in the presidency — adopting a parliamentary or semi-presidential system would help distribute it more evenly between the executive and legislative branches. Giving more power to local governments would also reduce centralization of power.
