Foreign Media: "Political Turmoil to Prolong Following Failed Impeachment in Han"

AP "If Public Impeachment Demands Grow, Ruling Party Will Eventually Join"

On the 7th (local time), U.S. media predicted that South Korea's political turmoil would prolong after the impeachment vote against President Yoon Suk-yeol in the National Assembly related to the martial law incident was nullified due to the ruling party lawmakers' absence. Critical views were also raised regarding the majority of ruling party lawmakers' non-participation in the impeachment vote.

Speaker Woo Won-shik is declaring the impeachment motion against President Yoon Seok-yeol as 'vote invalid due to insufficient quorum' at the National Assembly plenary session on the 7th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

On the same day, The Washington Post (WP) reported in an article titled "South Korean President Avoids Impeachment After Martial Law Misstep" that "the failed vote is likely to trigger further political turmoil and increased public demands for the president's resignation."

The newspaper stated, "(Ruling party) lawmakers appeared more concerned about a return to progressive leadership than President Yoon's actions," adding, "The impeachment motion against President Yoon was rejected due to the boycott by his party, but the opposition is committed to punishing the short-lived martial law declaration."

The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) also wrote, "The failure of the presidential impeachment attempt is likely to prolong the political turmoil that has shaken South Korea."

The New York Times (NYT) reported, "With the failure of President Yoon's impeachment attempt, the political upheaval and uncertainty that shook South Korea following the brief enforcement of martial law this week are set to continue."

The outlet wrote, "President Yoon survived the impeachment attempt but is unlikely to perform any significant government duties or represent the nation," adding, "Protesters have vowed to continue their pressure." It further noted, "South Korea faces a prolonged leadership struggle amid severe geopolitical instability, with North Korea enhancing its nuclear capabilities and intensifying threats against the South, while the change in the U.S. administration, its most important military ally, could complicate bilateral cooperation."

The UK's Financial Times (FT), citing political commentator Seo Bok-kyung, introduced the view that "the public is unlikely to accept any behind-the-scenes deals between President Yoon and his party," and predicted that the failure of the impeachment motion would escalate South Korea's political turmoil.

Critical views were also expressed toward the People Power Party, which, following the party line opposing impeachment, saw all lawmakers except Ahn Cheol-soo, Kim Ye-ji, and Kim Sang-wook abstain from the vote.

WSJ quoted Karl Friedhoff, a South Korea expert at the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, saying, "The People Power Party choosing the path of prioritizing the party over the nation is the worst outcome."

Associated Press (AP) reported, "Many experts worry that President Yoon will not complete the remaining two and a half years of his term," adding, "They say that if public demands for impeachment grow, some People Power Party lawmakers may eventually join the opposition's efforts to impeach President Yoon."