South Korea politics

The Yoon era is over, but the South Korean polity is divided more than ever. 

Lee Jae-myung’s strategic bet – that he can leverage widespread public discontent without further deepening societal divisions – will pose a key test for South Korea’s democracy.

Ahead of the ruling on the South Korean president’s impeachment, the Constitutional Court overturned the impeachment of Han Duck-soo.

The Constitutional Court is taking longer than expected to issue its ruling. South Koreans are divided over how to interpret the delay.

A recent poll found Yoon's approval rating has dipped even below the immediate post-martial law period – contrasting with other polls showing a pro-Yoon bounce.

Even after South Korea’s Constitution Court delivers its verdict, the country’s fierce and fractured partisan divide is likely to rage on both within and outside of the government. 

President Yoon Suk-yeol’s governing style and legislative deadlock engendered calls for constitutional amendment from both sides of South Korea’s political divide.

The six-week trial has ended. Now, the Constitutional Court will decide whether to uphold Yoon Suk-yeol's impeachment. 

The martial law episode – and all that followed – “reflects a broader global pattern of democratic erosion but also showcases Korea’s unique strengths.”

Their blind protection of President Yoon Suk-yeol perpetuates his insurrection.

For the first time in South Korea’s history, an arrest warrant requested by the investigation agency against the president has been issued.

Despite his vow not to avoid legal and political responsibility, President Yoon has repeatedly refused to receive documents from the Constitutional Court that are related to his impeachment trial.

After a meltdown in South Korea, what becomes of a thorny relationship?

South Korea’s President Yoon Suk-yeol is suspended from his duties after the National Assembly passed an impeachment bill on the second try.

Reversing his decision to defer to the ruling party, Yoon implied that the main opposition Democratic Party was the “anti-state forces” he referred to in his declaration of martial law.

It’s not just South Korea; all the U.S. allies along the first island chain are in a period of political turmoil. And China is hoping to benefit.

Kim, a retired four-star Army general and Democratic Party lawmaker, says that “impeachment alone is insufficient” to address Yoon’s shocking declaration of martial law.

Yoon implied that he would depute his presidential powers and authorities to the ruling party, but it is illegitimate for the PPP to exercise them.

With the ruling party holding a meeting to avoid the vote, the National Assembly was short of a quorum.

After the revelation, the leader of the ruling People Power Party called for Yoon's presidential authority to be suspended immediately.

We could have – and should have – predicted this.

Less than three hours after Yoon Suk-yeol declared martial law, the National Assembly blocked the motion. Now they are moving to impeach the president.

Lee has been found guilty of violating election law, and more cases are still pending. What does this mean for the opposition leader’s political future?

The majority of South Koreans think their president is not doing his job well, and there's no shortage of explanations.