Victor Cha, Korea Chair at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), warned that the absence of a president puts South Korea at risk. He stressed that political turmoil could weaken the country’s global standing.
“The South Korea impeachment process must end quickly, regardless of the Constitutional Court’s decision,” Cha said.
He compared South Korea’s situation to a stalled car. “Without leadership, South Korea is falling behind while Donald Trump moves at 100 km per hour,” he said.
Concerns Over U.S.-South Korea “Decoupling”
Many fear that a second Trump administration could lead to a South Korea impeachment-related diplomatic rift. Cha disagreed, saying, “Washington has not yet signaled any intent to distance itself from Seoul.”
However, he pointed to last month’s White House meeting between Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky, which ended in a public breakdown. He warned that South Korea must avoid facing similar pressure from the U.S. Trump’s administration had pushed Zelensky to accept terms favoring Vladimir Putin.
“They must ensure this does not happen to them,” Cha emphasized.
Trump’s Halt on Military Aid to Ukraine Raises Concerns
On March 3, Trump announced a complete halt to military aid for Ukraine. This decision raised concerns about U.S. security commitments.
Cha stressed that South Korea needs a leader in the Yongsan Presidential Office who can quickly build ties with Trump.
“A leader must engage Trump early, especially since North Korea talks may begin soon after the South Korea impeachment crisis ends,” he said.
North Korea Watching U.S. Actions Closely
Cha also warned that North Korea is watching how the U.S. handles the Ukraine-Russia conflict.
“If North Korea sees an opportunity, they may push for talks with Trump, hoping for a deal like Kyiv’s,” he said.
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BY YOUNGNAM KIM [kim.youngnam@koreadaily.com]
