Bloomberg "Political Uncertainty Burdens Economy"
BBC "South Korea's Firm Stance Deepens Political Conflict"
NYT "Yoon's Martial Law Undermines Biden's Diplomatic Values"
"Political uncertainty is weighing on the South Korean economy." (Bloomberg News)
"It will deepen the political paralysis that has halted high-level diplomacy and shaken financial markets." (AP News)
Major foreign media expressed concern on the 26th (local time) that South Korea's political crisis is intensifying following the Democratic Party's proposal of an impeachment motion against Acting Prime Minister Han Duck-soo.
Bloomberg News reported the impeachment motion, stating, "With the inauguration of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump next year expected to slow economic growth, political uncertainty is weighing on the South Korean economy." The British daily The Guardian also analyzed, "If the Democratic Party succeeds in the impeachment attempt, it would be the second time in less than two weeks that a head of state is impeached," adding, "The vibrant political scene will become even more unstable."
The Democratic Party previously proposed the impeachment motion after Acting Prime Minister Han refused to appoint three constitutional court justices demanded by the opposition, effectively withholding appointments until a bipartisan agreement is reached. The impeachment motion is scheduled for a vote in the National Assembly plenary session on the 27th.
Regarding this, AP News reported, "As conflicts between the opposition and ruling parties deepen, the appointment of constitutional court justices has reached a deadlock," and added, "The possibility of impeaching Acting Prime Minister Han could halt high-level diplomatic activities and deepen the political paralysis that has shaken financial markets." It also noted disagreements over the quorum required to pass the impeachment motion, stating, "There may be legal ambiguities."
Reuters also reported that there are disagreements among political parties and some constitutional scholars regarding the quorum. AFP highlighted that if the impeachment motion passes, "It would be the first record of a democratic country, South Korea, impeaching an acting president." The British BBC reported, "Acting Prime Minister Han has maintained a firm stance, intensifying political conflicts."
Foreign media also analyzed that South Korea's emergency martial law situation has dealt a blow to the core diplomatic values of the U.S. Biden administration. The New York Times (NYT) reported that major U.S. allies are acting contrary to the values advocated by President Biden, such as democracy, the rule of law, and human rights, citing President Yoon Suk-yeol's declaration of emergency martial law as an example.
The outlet noted that although the emergency martial law situation recalls former President Donald Trump's actions after his 2020 election victory, President Biden did not criticize President Yoon but only expressed concern. It analyzed that this was because the Biden administration had invested efforts in President Yoon, including having South Korea host the key project, the 3rd Summit for Democracy. Besides South Korea, Afghanistan, Israel, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) were also mentioned as cases contrary to U.S. values.
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