NYT "Short-lived Martial Law... Political Uncertainty Continues"
WP "Power Vacuum Weakens Position Toward the US"
WSJ "If Lee Jae-myung Takes Power, Foreign Policy Will Shift Dramatically"
On the 14th (local time), U.S. media outlets unanimously reported the National Assembly's passage of the impeachment motion against President Yoon Seok-yeol, who had declared and lifted martial law, and flooded the news with analysis articles on the aftermath and prospects. They pointed out that the prolonged political uncertainty in South Korea is likely to make it difficult to respond swiftly and precisely to diplomatic and trade issues with the second Trump administration, which will take office in January next year. There are also observations that if the Constitutional Court upholds the impeachment, leading to an early presidential election and the election of Lee Jae-myung, the leader of the Democratic Party of Korea and a leading presidential candidate, there could be a sudden shift in foreign policy and a weakening of the trilateral cooperation among South Korea, the U.S., and Japan.
The U.S. daily newspaper The New York Times (NYT) reported, "The impeachment of President Yoon was the most dramatic turning point in a turbulent term that began in 2022."
The paper stated, "He barely won through a conservative and pro-business platform, but most of the political crisis is related to his wife, Kim Geon-hee," adding, "Mrs. Kim has been accused of receiving inappropriate gifts such as Dior handbags and illegally interfering in state affairs including personnel matters." It also wrote, "Although some members of Yoon's party helped pass the impeachment motion, the political turmoil and uncertainty in South Korea triggered by his short-lived martial law declaration have not ended."
The daily The Washington Post (WP) diagnosed that South Korea will fall into a "state of paralysis" during the Constitutional Court's impeachment review period, and a "leadership vacuum" will occur at the time of the launch of the second Trump administration.
WP reported, "Such a power vacuum in the leader of a major U.S. ally in Asia could weaken Seoul's position with Washington," and "South Korea's ability to respond swiftly regarding adjustments in diplomatic and trade policies could also be jeopardized." It also introduced that the Trump president-elect has announced tariff increases and is demanding an increase in the cost-sharing for the U.S. military stationed in South Korea (defense cost-sharing).
However, it was reported that it is unclear whether the Constitutional Court will uphold the impeachment motion passed by the National Assembly.
The U.S. economic daily The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) stated that if the Constitutional Court upholds the impeachment motion, an early presidential election will be held within 60 days, and opposition leader Lee Jae-myung is the most likely frontrunner. It introduced that Lee is facing five trials including charges of violating the Public Official Election Act, and if the scenario of his election as president materializes, significant changes in South Korea's foreign policy are expected.
WSJ wrote, "After President Yoon took office in 2022, Seoul restored diplomacy with Tokyo, built a deeper relationship with the Biden administration, and achieved unprecedented trilateral military cooperation among South Korea, the U.S., and Japan," adding, "He took a confrontational stance toward North Korean leader Kim Jong-un's regime and argued that peace can be achieved through strength."
The paper noted, "Currently, Lee's approval rating is 52%," and predicted that if he becomes the next president, he will "pursue exchanges with North Korea, a more independent approach from the U.S., balance with China (in diplomacy that has leaned toward the U.S.), and a tough stance toward Japan."
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