South Korea’s Constitutional Court will rule on President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment as early as mid-March. The decision could reshape the country’s leadership and affect its foreign policy.
To examine the potential outcomes, The Korea Daily spoke with Bruce Klingner, a senior research fellow at the Heritage Foundation and former deputy division chief for Korea at the CIA. He shared insights on how the impeachment ruling on Yoon Suk Yeol may influence South Korea’s politics and global relations.
Yoon Suk Yeol Impeachment: Early Election Possible
If the court upholds Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment, an early presidential election is likely. According to Klingner, the opposition Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) has a strong chance of winning.
“The DPK would take a different approach to foreign and security policy than the People Power Party (PPP),” Klingner said. He noted that the party would prioritize engagement with China over Yoon’s support for stronger U.S. policies.
Klingner also stated that a DPK-led government would welcome direct U.S.-North Korea diplomacy, similar to Trump’s past outreach. However, he added that South Korea might worry about agreements that focus more on U.S. security than its own.
Korea Passing: South Korea’s Role in U.S.-North Korea Talks
A key concern surrounding the Yoon Suk Yeol impeachment ruling is “Korea passing”—a situation where the U.S. negotiates with North Korea while sidelining South Korea.
Klingner warned that if Donald Trump returns to office, Washington may resume direct talks with Pyongyang. This could reduce Seoul’s role in negotiations.
“The Trump administration has promised to uphold South Korea’s defense and consult Seoul before engaging with Pyongyang,” Klingner said. However, he acknowledged that past talks had raised concerns in Seoul and Tokyo over insufficient consultation.
“That was why the George W. Bush administration insisted on the Six-Party Talks,” he said. He emphasized that Washington must consider South Korea’s interests in future negotiations with North Korea.
What’s Next for South Korea?
As the Constitutional Court ruling on Yoon Suk Yeol nears, South Korea’s political future remains uncertain. If Yoon is removed from office, the next administration could pursue different foreign policies, especially regarding the U.S., China, and North Korea.
Bruce Klingner’s analysis highlights the significant stakes of this ruling, which could shape South Korea’s leadership and diplomatic direction.
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BY YOUNGNAM KIM [kim.youngnam@koreadaily.com]
