South Korea's Political Tension: Impeachment Risks for Jun

On December 4, 2023, South Korean President Jun Sook-yeol held an urgent meeting with Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and ruling party leader Han Dong-hoon in light of an impending impeachment petition submitted by opposition parties. The petition, bearing the signatures of 191 lawmakers, called for the impeachment of President Jun shortly after he declared a controversial martial law on December 3. The declaration faced a swift backlash, leading the National Assembly to vote against it within hours. During the meeting, senior officials affirmed that the discussion did not include the possibility of President Jun exiting the ruling party despite escalating political turmoil. Experts believe the current crisis is rooted in historical grievances and the president’s inability to engage with opposition forces. Lawmakers from the People's Power Party are divided, with varying opinions on impeachment. If the impeachment petition passes, it will be forwarded to the Constitutional Court, which requires a majority of justices to validate the proceedings, effectively suspending the president’s powers. In the aftermath of the situation, international observers, including the U.S., expressed concerns over the implications for South Korea's governance and alliance dynamics. The political crisis, highlighted by both domestic dissent and external scrutiny, underscores the ongoing complexities within South Korea's political sphere as public confidence in President Jun wanes.