Quotes of the Day:

“What the herd hates most is the one who thinks differently; it not so much the opinion itself, but the audacity of wanting to think for themselves, something that they do not know how to do.” 

– Arthur Schopenhauer (1788-1860)

The right of nature... is the liberty each man hath to use his own power, as he will himself, for the preservation of his own nature; that is to say, of his own life.

– Thomas Hobbes

Reading and writing, like everything else, improve with practice. And, of course, if there are no young readers and writers, there will shortly be no older ones. Literacy will be dead, and democracy - which many believe goes hand in hand with it - will be dead as well.

– Margaret Atwood

1. Korea's presidential impeachment: Challenges and lessons for democracy

2. What Does Assad’s Fall Mean For North Korea?

3. South Korean lawmakers impeach President Yoon over failed martial law bid

4. Trump picks ex-Ambassador to Germany Grenell as presidential envoy for special missions on N. Korea, other issues

5. Acting President Han speaks with Biden by phone, reaffirms alliance

6. Prosecutors seek arrest warrant for chief of Army Special Warfare Command in martial law probe

7. Exiled Syrian Diplomat: “North Korea is just a target”

8. President Yoon pledges resilience following impeachment

9. President Yoon impeached, Constitutional Court has 180 days to decide his fate

10. S. Korea's Democratic Party eyes $3.3 bn budget cut, plans final vote on Dec. 10

11. (Yoon Impeachment) Opposition leader proposes parliamentary-gov't consultative body on stabilizing state affairs

12. Foreign ambassadors praise S. Korea's democratic resilience amid Yoon's impeachment

13. Who is acting President Han Duck-soo?

14. The Impeachment of South Korea’s President, Explained

15. ​After Impeachment, South Korea Is Left With No Elected Leader

1. Korea's presidential impeachment: Challenges and lessons for democracy

​Excerpts:

The impeachment of Yoon is a pivotal moment for Korea. It offers an opportunity to reaffirm the nation’s commitment to democracy while addressing the shortcomings that have hindered its progress. For the ruling and opposition parties, this means prioritizing collaboration over confrontation and demonstrating a willingness to compromise. For the Constitutional Court, it means upholding its role as an impartial arbiter, free from political interference. And for the public, it means continuing to engage with the political process while demanding accountability and fairness from their leaders.

Ultimately, the resolution of this impeachment case will not only determine the fate of Yoon but also shape the future of Korean democracy. By embracing the principles of negotiation, respect and civic responsibility, Korea can navigate this crisis and emerge stronger as a democratic nation.

Korea's presidential impeachment: Challenges and lessons for democracy

The Korea Times · December 15, 2024

By Chun In-bum

Chun In-bum

The passage of the bill to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol has once again highlighted the deep political divides within the country. With 204 votes cast in favor, 85 against, three abstentions and eight invalid votes, the opposition declared victory. However, a closer examination reveals that this result is less clear-cut than it might appear. While the opposition secured the majority needed to pass the bill, the numbers fell short of the ideal threshold of 210 or more votes. On the ruling party’s side, only about a dozen members voted for impeachment, far fewer than the “magic number” of 20 or more needed to demonstrate a meaningful defection.

The impeachment vote also sparked large-scale public demonstrations, reflecting the intense polarization in Korean society. Despite freezing temperatures, approximately 200,000 people gathered near the National Assembly to support impeachment, while around 30,000 assembled in central Seoul to oppose it. These gatherings underline the sharp divisions among the populace. On one side, critics of Yoon cite alleged abuses of power and betrayal of public trust, while his supporters continue to rally behind his narrative, including his controversial description of the opposition as a “den of criminals.”

The willingness of so many to brave the harsh weather for their beliefs demonstrates not only the depth of polarization but also the strong civic engagement of Koreans. However, it also underscores the challenge of fostering a sense of national unity in the face of such entrenched divisions. While the opposition may celebrate the vote as a triumph, the demonstrations reveal that a significant portion of the population remains steadfastly loyal to Yoon and his administration.

With the impeachment bill passed by the National Assembly, the next critical step is deliberation by the Constitutional Court of Korea. As the highest court responsible for constitutional adjudication, the Constitutional Court plays a pivotal role in determining the legality and validity of impeachment motions. Established under the current Constitution, which was ratified through a national referendum in 1987, the court symbolizes the principle of separation of powers within Korea’s judiciary.

The court is composed of nine justices, appointed as follows: three by the president, three elected by the National Assembly and three nominated by the chief justice of the Supreme Court. Among them, one serves as the president of the Constitutional Court. This structure is designed to balance the influences of the executive, legislative and judicial branches. The court is headquartered in Seoul and has 90 days to adjudicate the impeachment bill. However, the current situation presents a significant challenge — there are only six sitting justices instead of the full nine. This means that a unanimous decision is required for impeachment to proceed.

The shortage of justices stems from political deadlock over appointments. Traditionally, the three vacancies would be filled through an agreement between the ruling and opposition parties: one nominee from each, with the third selected through bipartisan consensus. However, the opposition has disrupted this arrangement by demanding two of the three appointments, breaking from the long-established norm. This impasse has persisted for two months, leaving the court under-resourced and ill-equipped to handle such a critical case.

The current composition of the court includes two conservative, two progressive and two moderate justices. This balance makes the outcome uncertain, as even one dissenting vote among the six would block impeachment. While the opposition is eager to fill the vacancies to tip the scales in their favor, their actions highlight a broader pattern of prioritizing majority dominance over respect for minority voices. This approach, often criticized as the “tyranny of the majority,” risks undermining the legitimacy of democratic institutions and alienating moderates.

The impeachment process offers a lens through which to examine the state of Korean democracy. On one hand, the process demonstrates the robustness of institutional checks and balances. The Constitutional Court’s role as an impartial arbiter ensures that impeachment is not merely a political weapon but a legal process subject to rigorous scrutiny. On the other hand, the political gridlock and polarization surrounding this case reveal the fragility of democratic norms and the challenges of fostering constructive dialogue across ideological divides.

The opposition’s insistence on controlling the judicial appointment process reflects a troubling trend in Korean politics: the erosion of bipartisan cooperation. While it is natural for political parties to seek an advantage, the disregard for established norms and the exclusion of minority opinions weaken the foundations of democracy. True democratic governance requires not only majority rule but also respect for dissenting voices and a commitment to fair process.

Rather than celebrating a tenuous victory, the opposition should take this moment to reflect on their approach and priorities. The failure to secure overwhelming support for the impeachment bill and the ongoing public demonstrations in favor of Yoon indicate that their mandate is far from universal. To strengthen their position, the opposition must engage in genuine dialogue with conservatives and moderates, building coalitions that transcend party lines.

Negotiation and compromise are essential for restoring public trust and ensuring the legitimacy of democratic processes. The opposition’s current strategy of maximizing short-term gains at the expense of long-term stability risks deepening divisions and alienating potential allies. By respecting minority opinions and adhering to established rules, they can demonstrate a commitment to democratic principles and set a positive example for the Korean people.

The impeachment saga also serves as an important wake-up call for the Korean public. Democracy is more than a tool for achieving immediate political goals; it is a system that requires active participation, informed decision-making and respect for differing perspectives. The intense public engagement surrounding the impeachment vote reflects a growing awareness of these responsibilities. However, it also reveals the need for greater political maturity.

Koreans must recognize that democracy is not just about “your bowl of rice” — a metaphor for personal or economic interests. It is about fostering a political culture that values transparency, accountability and inclusivity. Unless the public demands better from their leaders and holds them accountable to democratic principles, the cycle of polarization and gridlock will persist.

The impeachment of Yoon is a pivotal moment for Korea. It offers an opportunity to reaffirm the nation’s commitment to democracy while addressing the shortcomings that have hindered its progress. For the ruling and opposition parties, this means prioritizing collaboration over confrontation and demonstrating a willingness to compromise. For the Constitutional Court, it means upholding its role as an impartial arbiter, free from political interference. And for the public, it means continuing to engage with the political process while demanding accountability and fairness from their leaders.

Ultimately, the resolution of this impeachment case will not only determine the fate of Yoon but also shape the future of Korean democracy. By embracing the principles of negotiation, respect and civic responsibility, Korea can navigate this crisis and emerge stronger as a democratic nation.

Chun In-bum (truechun@naver.com) served as a lieutenant general in the ROK Army and was commander of Special Forces Korea.

The Korea Times · December 15, 2024

2. What Does Assad’s Fall Mean For North Korea?

​Important insights from Dr. Bechtol.

Excerpts:

And what does this mean for the North Koreans? Perhaps most importantly, it means the loss of an important consumer of both conventional and unconventional weapons. Syria has been a consumer of North Korean systems since roughly the late 1960s. That is over now. The same might be said for both Hezbollah and Hamas. Both used North Korean weapons against Israel. Both used North Korean assistance to build important underground facilities and tunnels (now largely destroyed).

This leads to the question, will these two entities now try to reconstitute themselves with the support of the North Koreans (and others, including Iran)? One hopes that this outcome can be prevented, but it will take definitive action. With a key weapons consumer now out of power, North Korea will once again be looking to “sell its wares” throughout the Middle East.

What Does Assad’s Fall Mean For North Korea?

With a key weapons consumer now out of power, North Korea will once again be looking to “sell its wares” throughout the Middle East.

The National Interest · by Bruce E. Bechtol · December 12, 2024

Since the fall of the Assad regime, the Israeli Air Force has launched attacks on numerous strategic military facilities. Included among these facilities are chemical weapons facilities and missile sites. It is established in open sources that these facilities are for either the development or weaponization of chemical weapons or for the matching up of these weapons with their launching platforms—typically Scud missiles or 122MM multiple rocket launchers. What we are not seeing in the press, for the most part, is the North Korea connection. In fact, the Damascus regime would not have the weapons or the missiles or even most of the multiple rocket launchers (in other words, both the weapons and the platforms) without one of their key suppliers: Pyongyang.

North Korea began selling chemical weapons capabilities to the Syrians at least as early as the early 1990s. In fact, North Korean scientists and technicians assisted the Syrians in developing several of their chemical weapons facilities. In 2005, the Syrians reportedly used North Korean-provided Scud missiles to test North Korean-provided air-burst chemical weapons.

The North Koreans did not stop there. Throughout the Syrian Civil War, the North Koreans continued to assist Syria with its chemical weapons program. A UN Panel of Experts Report from March 2018 stated that there were at least thirty-nine illicit shipments from North Korea to Syria between 2012 and 2017—shipments that included items such as “acid-resistant tiles,” “valves, welded pipes (23 tons), stainless steel seamless pipes (27 tons) and cables.”

In other words, despite Syria’s claims that it ended its chemical weapons program in 2013, it did not. Its chief supplier was North Korea. Many of these weapons remained in Syria after the civil war subsided, and the Syrians (along with Iranians and North Koreans) were even assisting Hezbollah in the development and storage of these weapons during 2022. Thus, Israel’s interest in destroying Syria’s chemical weapons facilities now that they are falling into the hands of a radical and unpredictable government is quite compelling.

North Korea began proliferating Scud-C missiles to Syria after the first Gulf War in 1991. The North Koreans and the Syrians entered into a deal where Pyongyang would deliver at least 150 Scud-C missiles for the price of $500 million. The first missiles reportedly arrived in early 1991 and also included launchers. Other shipments arrived throughout the year and the following year and Syria eventually received close to the number of missiles they had paid for from the North Koreans. The North Koreans also built fabrication facilities for the Syrians for Scud-C missiles. Of course, these facilities could not operate without North Korean parts and North Korean technical assistance.

North Korea also sold Scud-D ballistic missiles to Syria. Early tests were detected in 2000, 2005, and 2007. Some testing also included the use of live chemical munitions. The first known use of the Scud-D missiles in the Syrian Civil War was in 2012, when the Syrian army used it against insurgents. This proved successful and thus deadly for opponents of the Syrian army.

There is a strong possibility that North Korea supplied, then re-supplied the Syrian military with chemical weapons, the platforms to carry them (Scud C, D, and 122-mm multiple rocket launchers), and the necessary materials to maintain an “industry” that could continue to upgrade and produce these weapons. This was happening before the early stages of the civil war and was ongoing until at least 2022. Thus, the necessity of destroying these facilities and weapons systems cannot be doubted. Although the Assad regime never directly attacked Israel with these systems, there is no such guarantee for Israel’s security now with a new government in Damascus.

And what does this mean for the North Koreans? Perhaps most importantly, it means the loss of an important consumer of both conventional and unconventional weapons. Syria has been a consumer of North Korean systems since roughly the late 1960s. That is over now. The same might be said for both Hezbollah and Hamas. Both used North Korean weapons against Israel. Both used North Korean assistance to build important underground facilities and tunnels (now largely destroyed).

This leads to the question, will these two entities now try to reconstitute themselves with the support of the North Koreans (and others, including Iran)? One hopes that this outcome can be prevented, but it will take definitive action. With a key weapons consumer now out of power, North Korea will once again be looking to “sell its wares” throughout the Middle East.

About the Author:

Dr. Bruce E. Bechtol Jr. is a professor of Political Science at Angelo State University. He is also the President of the International Council on Korean Studies and a fellow at the Institute for Korean-American Studies. He is the author of five books dealing with North Korea. His latest work is entitled North Korean Military Proliferation in the Middle East and Africa.

Image: Shutterstock.

The National Interest · by Bruce E. Bechtol · December 12, 2024

3. South Korean lawmakers impeach President Yoon over failed martial law bid

​Excerpts:

Meanwhile, the policy of the incoming Donald Trump administration toward a U.S. ally sited at a strategic geographical junction where China, North Korea and Russia meet is not fully formulated. Washington’s new policymakers will be unlikely to invest in building tight relationships with Seoul’s caretaker government.

“We are entering a period of limbo and uncertainty, and the Constitutional Court’s clock has not started ticking yet,” said Dan Pinkston, an international relations expert at Troy University. “There is only so much bandwidth in Washington and South Korea is down the agenda list. I think there will be autopilot, cruise control.”

South Korea’s diplomats met with ambassadors from the U.S., China and Japan to explain the situation, the South Korean Foreign Ministry said in a statement, adding the country’s foreign policy based on its alliance with Washington was unchanged by Saturday’s vote.

But the risk lies in a sudden crisis on the flashpoint peninsula.

“Senior South Korean officers are facing investigation and the longer that takes, the more uncertainty there will be,” Mr. Pinkston said. “Will adversaries look at this situation as something that can be exploited?”

South Korean lawmakers impeach President Yoon over failed martial law bid

Yoon remains defiant, questions loom for political culture, relations with Trump

washingtontimes.com · by Andrew Salmon

By - The Washington Times - Saturday, December 14, 2024

SEOUL, South Korea — It was game over for South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol Saturday, after his powers were suspended by a bipartisan impeachment vote in the National Assembly in central Seoul.

Some 204 lawmakers in the 300-seat legislature, including 12 from Mr. Yoon’s own party, secured the two-thirds majority required for the conservative president’s impeachment. Saturday’s process was the culmination of 10 days of chaos and division here following Mr. Yoon’s stunning short-lived declaration of martial law on Dec 3.

“The earnestness, courage and dedication the people showed for democracy led to this decision,” National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik said after the vote.

The president, whose five-year term runs through 2027, remained defiant over what he called a “temporary” pause in his presidency, but a huge roar of approval went up from protesters outside the building when the result was announced.

“It is frustrating to think that all past efforts have been in vain,” Mr. Yoon said in a post-vote message, referring to his presidency, which commenced in 2022. He added, “I will never give up.”

Saturday’s result could bring a measure of calm to the troubled capital. It took place amid nationwide protests over Mr. Yoon’s shock decision, even in traditionally conservative strongholds in South Korea’s southeast.

An estimated 200,000 people gathered as the vote was being cast. So vast were crowds outside the Assembly building that nearby subway stations were closed. That did not deter many Seoul residents from gathering in freezing temperatures.

The road outside Mr. Yoon’s compound was lined with unusual decor: countless funeral wreaths. Some were placed by supporters lamenting his fate, others by opponents, in a psychological pressure tactic.

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Action on whether to remove Mr. Yoon from office now moves to the Constitutional Court, which has ample precedent: Two of Mr. Yoon’s predecessors were impeached — a failed attempt in 2004 and the 2016 impeachment that ousted former President Park Geun-hye,

But the nine-judge panel currently has three vacancies, and constitutional experts told foreign reporters that they expect it to take the case only with a full complement of judges, who are appointed by the Assembly.

The court has up to 180 days to decide whether impeachment stands. During that period, a caretaker administration led by Mr. Yoon’s prime minister, Han Duck-soo, will be in place. If impeachment is upheld, a presidential election must be held within 60 days.

“I will devote all my strength and efforts to ensure stable governance,” Mr. Han told reporters shortly after Saturday’s vote.

A ’desperate’ move

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But the crisis has raised new questions over the state of democratic governance in a U.S. ally that has strategic, industrial, technological and even pop cultural import for the wider world.

Mr. Yoon declared martial law late in a late-night address on Dec. 3, admitting he was “desperate.” The opposition-controlled assembly had stymied his budget proposals and impeached a number of his nominees.

Special forces moved to seize the National Assembly, the National Electoral Commission and even a prominent opposition pollster and media figure. South Korea achieved democracy after decades of struggle in 1987, and personal and institutional memory of authoritarian rule remains strong.

Demonstrations erupted, and a botched deployment of halfhearted commandos failed to prevent lawmakers from a range of parties from gathering and voting down martial law by unanimous vote: 190-0.

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It lasted just three hours. Not a single injury or death was reported.

Subsequently, sinister aspects of the plan — such as a detention camp for Mr. Yoon’s opponents — have come to light. Wilder allegations — that a strike had been considered on North Korea to justify martial law, and that a secret, “black operations” unit had deployed in plain clothes outside the Assembly — remain unproven.

Opposition parties drew up an impeachment motion, but the vote, one week ago, fell short when lawmakers from Mr. Yoon’s People Power Party boycotted the session when the vote was called.

The PPP hedged back and forth, but the willingness of some of its members to support the second impeachment effort suggests they had succumbed to overwhelming opinion.

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Those targeted by Mr. Yoon’s original order praised the vote.

“It’s a bit late, but I am relieved,” said Choi Jong-kun, presidential secretary to the prior, left-leaning president, Moon Jae-in, praising the popular rejection of the martial law plan.

“We have a sound and healthy democratic resilience,” he said. “Basically, we had a wrongful-minded president who was delusional, who committed a self-coup, and we nullified it with two weeks of civic resistance.”

Questions ahead

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Despite the vote, South Korea faces an uncertain future.

The crisis had dealt a body blow to South Korea’s right wing. Mr. Yoon is the second consecutive conservative president to be impeached.

“There are going to be a lot of PPP members in serious legal trouble, and the party risks fracturing and being obliterated in the near term,” said Mason Richey who teaches international relations at Seoul’s Hankook University of Foreign Studies.

The crisis also shines a light on a deeply polarized political culture, one the impeached president referred to in his post-vote message.

“I ask that we improve our political culture and system so that politics can shift from reckless confrontation to thoughtful deliberation and consideration,” Mr. Yoon said.

The record of the last five administrations is sobering: Three presidents have been impeached. One ex-president has committed suicide, two others have been jailed.

“My first thought is that impeachment should be rare in a democracy, not commonplace,” said Park Dong-suk, a retired businessman. “Overall we can say this was a victory for the people, but I think it hurts Korea’s reputation.”

“We can with confidence predict deepening polarization,” added Mr. Richey. “And that is going to produce further acts of mis-governance.”

Meanwhile, the policy of the incoming Donald Trump administration toward a U.S. ally sited at a strategic geographical junction where China, North Korea and Russia meet is not fully formulated. Washington’s new policymakers will be unlikely to invest in building tight relationships with Seoul’s caretaker government.

“We are entering a period of limbo and uncertainty, and the Constitutional Court’s clock has not started ticking yet,” said Dan Pinkston, an international relations expert at Troy University. “There is only so much bandwidth in Washington and South Korea is down the agenda list. I think there will be autopilot, cruise control.”

South Korea’s diplomats met with ambassadors from the U.S., China and Japan to explain the situation, the South Korean Foreign Ministry said in a statement, adding the country’s foreign policy based on its alliance with Washington was unchanged by Saturday’s vote.

But the risk lies in a sudden crisis on the flashpoint peninsula.

“Senior South Korean officers are facing investigation and the longer that takes, the more uncertainty there will be,” Mr. Pinkston said. “Will adversaries look at this situation as something that can be exploited?”

• Andrew Salmon can be reached at asalmon@washingtontimes.com.

Copyright © 2024 The Washington Times, LLC. Click here for reprint permission.

washingtontimes.com · by Andrew Salmon

4. Trump picks ex-Ambassador to Germany Grenell as presidential envoy for special missions on N. Korea, other issues

​No special attention for north Korea. I am sure Kim Jong Un will have something to say about this. He is not going to like being relegated to a lower tier of importance.

Trump picks ex-Ambassador to Germany Grenell as presidential envoy for special missions on N. Korea, other issues | Yonhap News Agency

en.yna.co.kr · by Song Sang-ho · December 15, 2024

By Song Sang-ho

WASHINGTON, Dec. 14 (Yonhap) -- U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on Saturday named former Ambassador to Germany Richard Grenell as his presidential envoy for special missions that he said covers "some of the hottest spots" around the world, including North Korea.

Trump announced Grenell, one of his staunchest supporters, as the presidential envoy, saying that he will fight for "peace through strength" and push for his America First agenda.

"I am pleased to announce Richard Allen Grenell as our Presidential Envoy for Special Missions. Ric will work in some of the hottest spots around the World, including Venezuela and North Korea," the president-elect wrote on Truth Social.

He added, "Ric will continue to fight for Peace through Strength, and always put AMERICA FIRST."

This photo, released by EPA, shows Richard Grenell, former acting director of national intelligence, speaking during the third day of the Republican National Convention at Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on July 17 2024. (Yonhap)

During Trump's first term in office, Grenell served as the U.S. ambassador to Germany, acting director of national intelligence and presidential envoy for Kosovo-Serbia negotiations.

The announcement on Grenell came amid expectations that after taking office on Jan. 20, Trump could seek to revive his personal diplomacy with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un to help address the recalcitrant regime's nuclear quandary.

Trump has also named Alex Wong, who was engaged in working-level nuclear talks with North Korea during his first term, as his principal deputy national security adviser.

Grenell earned his bachelor's degree in government and public administration from Evangel University in Missouri and a master's degree in public administration from Harvard University's John F. Kennedy School of Government.

sshluck@yna.co.kr

(END)

en.yna.co.kr · by Song Sang-ho · December 15, 2024

5. Acting President Han speaks with Biden by phone, reaffirms alliance

​

The alliance will weather this storm.

(LEAD) Acting President Han speaks with Biden by phone, reaffirms alliance | Yonhap News Agency

en.yna.co.kr · by Chae Yun-hwan · December 15, 2024

(ATTN: RECASTS lead; UPDATES throughout with details; ADDS photo, byline)

By Lee Haye-ah and Chae Yun-hwan

SEOUL, Dec. 15 (Yonhap) -- Acting President Han Duck-soo held phone talks with U.S. President Joe Biden on Sunday and vowed to maintain and develop the two countries' alliance, his office said.

Han held the 16-minute phone conversation with Biden after President Yoon Suk Yeol was impeached by the National Assembly on Saturday over his short-lived imposition of martial law on Dec. 3.

"Our government will carry out our diplomatic and security policies without disruption and work to ensure that the South Korea-U.S. alliance continues to be maintained and developed without wavering," he said, according to his office.

Han stressed the importance of solidifying the combined South Korea-U.S. defense posture in the face of common challenges, such as the nuclear threat posed by North Korea and the deepening cooperation between Moscow and Pyongyang.

He also explained that all state affairs will be run strictly in accordance with the Constitution and the law.

Biden thanked Han for the explanation and voiced confidence in South Korea's democracy while also noting its resilience, according to Han's office.

Biden said "the ironclad South Korea-U.S. alliance remains unchanged and that he will continue to work together with the South Korean side for the development and strengthening of the South Korea-U.S. alliance and South Korea-U.S.-Japan cooperation," it said.

Han thanked Biden for his attention and efforts in dramatically developing the bilateral alliance and trilateral cooperation with Japan during his term. Biden vowed to continue to support the development of the alliance.

Han, as prime minister, assumed office as acting president immediately after Yoon was suspended from his duties following his impeachment.

Acting President Han Duck-soo speaks with U.S. President Joe Biden by phone at his office in central Seoul on Dec. 15, 2024, in this photo provided by the prime minister's office. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

yunhwanchae@yna.co.kr

(END)

en.yna.co.kr · by Chae Yun-hwan · December 15, 2024

6. Prosecutors seek arrest warrant for chief of Army Special Warfare Command in martial law probe

​The witch hunt will scorched earth, No good deed goes unpunished. He did the right thing at the right time by not stopping the vote and then ensuring the troops respected the vote.

Prosecutors seek arrest warrant for chief of Army Special Warfare Command in martial law probe | Yonhap News Agency

en.yna.co.kr · by Chae Yun-hwan · December 15, 2024

By Chae Yun-whan

SEOUL, Dec. 15 (Yonhap) -- Prosecutors on Sunday sought an arrest warrant for the head of the Army Special Warfare Command over his role in President Yoon Suk Yeol's short-lived imposition of martial law.

Lt. Gen. Kwak Jong-keun is accused of sending troops to the National Assembly when martial law was imposed on Dec. 3, and allegedly colluding with Yoon and former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun to incite a riot with the purpose of subverting the Constitution.

Prosecutors sought the arrest warrant on charges of insurrection and abuse of power.

Lt. Gen. Kwak Jong-keun, head of the Army Special Warfare Command, attends a session of the parliamentary defense committee at the National Assembly in western Seoul on Dec. 10, 2024. (Yonhap)

yunhwanchae@yna.co.kr

(END)

en.yna.co.kr · by Chae Yun-hwan · December 15, 2024

7. Exiled Syrian Diplomat: “North Korea is just a target”

​A fascinating but telling anecdote that helps to understand the nature of the Kim family regime.  

And an important concluding message.

Excerpts:

North Korea has repeatedly described Syria as its eternal ally, but Syrian diplomats have also said they are reluctant to pursue this relationship . 

[ Mr. Barabandi ] I have an interesting anecdote . A fellow diplomat served in North Korea . When his term ended, North Korea sent him a small statue of Kim Il-sung, weighing 50 to 60 kilograms, as a gift . The diplomat refused, saying it was too heavy to take , but the North Korean authorities said they would send it to him, so he sent it to Damascus, Syria . The North Korean embassy called him , and the statue arrived at his house . He put the statue in a corner of his house , and North Korean embassy officials came here every week to check on the statue and make sure it was clean . Eventually, the Syrian diplomat, exhausted, said he would throw it away , but the North Korean embassy took it back .

He testified that exchanges with North Korea were virtually non-existent except on national holidays or the leader's birthday, and that military channels of exchange were completely separate from the government 

...

[ Mr. Barabandi ] For a long time, we thought we were living in a nightmare in Syria with no end in sight . But many Syrians believed that freedom was possible . We fought quietly from within , and we are finally getting where we want to be . Of course, there were many challenges . A million people have lost their lives in 11 years , 10 million have been displaced in 12 years , but we never stopped . Because we believed in what we wanted .

He added, “ This shows that a regime like North Korea cannot last forever, ” and “ North Korean people should not lose hope . ”

[ Mr. Barabandi ] North Korean people, you are much stronger than the regime . The regime is afraid of you . That is why it oppresses you . If the regime had not been afraid of you , it would have responded more flexibly . History tells us that the stronger the regime's oppression, the closer the collapse . Do not lose hope . Hope is the most powerful weapon to bring down the regime .

Exiled Syrian Diplomat: “North Korea is just a target”

https://www.rfa.org/korean/in_focus/nk_nuclear_talks/north-korea-syria-military-cooperation-diplomat-12132024152730.html

WASHINGTON-Park Jae-woo parkja@rfa.org

2024.12.13

Syrian exiled diplomat Bassam Barabandi visited the Radio Free Asia studio for an interview. He worked as a Syrian diplomat for about 15 years in Beijing, China, the United Nations headquarters in New York, and Washington, D.C. He defected to the United States in 2013.

 /RFA PHOTO

00:00 /07:46

Anchor :  Recently, the Bashar Assad regime in Syria , one of North Korea's few allies, collapsed . A former Syrian diplomat said that diplomatic relations between North Korea and Syria were almost non-existent and were mainly focused on military cooperation . Reporter Park Jae-woo heard from him.

Military transaction relationship, not diplomatic relationship

Until recently, before the collapse of the Syrian dictatorship, General Secretary Kim Jong-un and Syrian President Bashar al-Assad had been exchanging personal letters and showing off their close relationship.

However, Bassam Barabandi, who worked as a Syrian diplomat for 15 years before defecting to the United States in 2013 , emphasized in an interview with Radio Free Asia (RFA) on the 11th that the relationship between North Korea and Syria was “ only a military cooperation relationship . ”

In particular, Syria explained that it began relations with North Korea in order to emulate its one-man dictatorship and receive military support .

[ Mr. Barabandi ] Cooperation began in earnest when former President Hafez al-Assad, the father of Bashar Assad, met with Kim Il-sung . Assad attempted to contact North Korea to learn how the North Korean people worship their leader as if he were a god .

As Syria and North Korea faced international sanctions, military ties between the two countries began to deepen, Barabandi said .

He explained that although there was no formal diplomatic communication between North Korea and Syria, the two countries had developed deep ties through cooperation on missiles, chemical weapons and nuclear weapons .

Dr. Ibrahim Osman, chairman of the Syrian Atomic Energy Commission, with a suspected North Korean nuclear scientist. / U.S. government/Reuters

North Korea-linked Syrian nuclear facility strike incident

In 2007 , a photo was released showing Dr. Ibrahim Osman, the chairman of the Syrian Atomic Energy Commission, with what was believed to be a North Korean nuclear scientist. Israel reportedly obtained the photo through intelligence activities and passed it on to the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) .

Israel subsequently successfully carried out a military operation to bomb North Korea's nuclear facility under construction in Syria using fighter jets.

Although military exchanges between North Korea and Syria are already known, Mr. Barabandi said it is highly likely that North Korean workers were directly involved in the construction of the Syrian nuclear reactor.

[ Mr. Barabandi ] I have not heard of any Syrian workers on site when the reactor was built . Of the hundreds or thousands of Syrians who have fled from 2011 to the present , no one has ever claimed to have worked at the reactor .

Normally, major construction sites would mobilize workers and technicians from the surrounding area, but the Syrian reactor was different , and taking these factors into account, it is highly likely that North Korean workers were deeply involved in the construction of the reactor, he said .

Putin watched the collapse of the Assad regime… “Kim Jong-un must realize reality”

[ China Today ] China Keeps Silent on the Collapse of the Syrian Regime

Exiled Syrian Diplomat's View of the Fall of Syria's Dictatorship and North Korea / RFA Video

" North Korea Order Is a Demotivation for Syrian Diplomat "

During his time as a diplomat, he recalled that his contacts with North Korean diplomats were very limited .

[ Mr. Barabandi ] When I worked in China and New York, I had the opportunity to meet North Korean diplomats . They always traveled in groups of two or three , watching each other , and constantly being on guard against what was going on around them . We could only exchange greetings and greetings .

He told an interesting story, saying that when the Syrian Foreign Ministry transfers diplomats to North Korea, it is essentially considered a demotion .

[ Mr. Barabandi ] The Ministry of Foreign Affairs sends them to North Korea to be imprisoned for two years . This is what the Ministry of Foreign Affairs does to diplomats who it believes have done something wrong and wants to punish .

North Korea has repeatedly described Syria as its eternal ally, but Syrian diplomats have also said they are reluctant to pursue this relationship . 

[ Mr. Barabandi ] I have an interesting anecdote . A fellow diplomat served in North Korea . When his term ended, North Korea sent him a small statue of Kim Il-sung, weighing 50 to 60 kilograms, as a gift . The diplomat refused, saying it was too heavy to take , but the North Korean authorities said they would send it to him, so he sent it to Damascus, Syria . The North Korean embassy called him , and the statue arrived at his house . He put the statue in a corner of his house , and North Korean embassy officials came here every week to check on the statue and make sure it was clean . Eventually, the Syrian diplomat, exhausted, said he would throw it away , but the North Korean embassy took it back .

He testified that exchanges with North Korea were virtually non-existent except on national holidays or the leader's birthday, and that military channels of exchange were completely separate from the government .

A view of a Syrian nuclear facility bombed by Israel in 2007. / U.S. government/Reuters

Can the new administration reveal the truth about North Korea - Syria military cooperation ?

Military ties between North Korea and Syria have long been kept secret, but North Korea is known to have transferred missile , chemical , and nuclear technology to Syria .

According to a 2018 UN North Korea Sanctions Committee report, North Korea has also provided chemical weapons on several occasions , which the Assad regime is said to have used in the 2011 civil war .

Mr. Barabandi said that if the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) or countries and organizations with an interest in North Korea-Syria cooperation actively investigate this, it is possible that evidence could be found to prove North Korea's activities in Syria .

However, he explained that it depends on how quickly this can be secured, as relevant evidence can be destroyed or lost before it can be documented.

However, he explained that because the Assad regime maintains extremely secretive cooperation with North Korea and Iran, it may be difficult to find official documents or evidence .

[ Mr. Barabandi ] It is a very secretive system . Even within the regime, there are few who know who is doing what or where the evidence is . It is possible that documents or evidence proving North Korea - Syria cooperation will be discovered , but it will not be easy because of the regime’s isolation .

Flames rise near a damaged statue of former Syrian President Hafez al-Assad after Syrian rebels overran the capital and ousted President Bashar al-Assad. /Reuters

" Dictatorship is not eternal "

On the 8th, rebels took control of the Syrian capital Damascus, ending the nearly half-century-long iron-fisted rule of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and his family .

Mr. Barabandi said this also has implications for North Korea, stressing that its excessive military spending and system of controlling its people will inevitably collapse from within.

[ Mr. Barabandi ] For a long time, we thought we were living in a nightmare in Syria with no end in sight . But many Syrians believed that freedom was possible . We fought quietly from within , and we are finally getting where we want to be . Of course, there were many challenges . A million people have lost their lives in 11 years , 10 million have been displaced in 12 years , but we never stopped . Because we believed in what we wanted .

He added, “ This shows that a regime like North Korea cannot last forever, ” and “ North Korean people should not lose hope . ”

[ Mr. Barabandi ] North Korean people, you are much stronger than the regime . The regime is afraid of you . That is why it oppresses you . If the regime had not been afraid of you , it would have responded more flexibly . History tells us that the stronger the regime's oppression, the closer the collapse . Do not lose hope . Hope is the most powerful weapon to bring down the regime .

Editor Park Jeong-woo,  Web Editor Kim Sang-il

8. President Yoon pledges resilience following impeachment

​It is Korean democracy that is resilient.

President Yoon pledges resilience following impeachment

https://www.chosun.com/english/national-en/2024/12/14/GSHXQ3VDR5GWRIEJ6RFNYRRL5A/

By Lee Mi-ho,

Lee Jung-soo

Published 2024.12.15. 10:27

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol vowed to persevere and remain committed to the nation despite his impeachment by the National Assembly, calling it a temporary pause in his leadership journey. /News1

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol said on Dec. 14 that he would carry the weight of both criticism and support in his heart and commit himself fully to the nation until the very end.

Yoon shared his remarks in a statement to the press after the National Assembly approved his impeachment.

Reflecting on the decision, Yoon said it marked a temporary halt in what he described as a challenging yet fulfilling journey. He expressed frustration over the possibility that his past efforts might now seem in vain.

While acknowledging his current pause, Yoon emphasized that the path toward the future, which he had walked with the people for the past two and a half years, must not stop. He also reaffirmed his determination, saying he would never give up.

Yoon Suk-yeol

Martial Law

South Korea

People Power Party

Democratic Party

Han Dong-hoon

Lee Jae-myung. 

9. President Yoon impeached, Constitutional Court has 180 days to decide his fate

​Will it take 6 months for a ruling?

Excerpts:

Under Constitutional Court law, at least seven justices must be present for deliberations, but the court suspended the seven-justice requirement in October.

When asked on November 5 whether impeachment cases could proceed without filling the three vacant seats, Acting Chief Justice Moon replied, “I don’t think so,” indicating that it is possible to deliberate on impeachment cases with only six judges.

However, when asked whether decisions on the president’s impeachment could also be made with six judges, Moon responded, “We will discuss it.” His answer implies that for a case as significant as a presidential impeachment, the decision should ideally involve all nine justices—or as close to nine as possible.

During President Roh Moo-hyun’s 2004 impeachment, all nine justice positions were filled, and in President Park Geun-hye’s 2017 case, the court was composed of eight justices.

The South Korean National Assembly voted to impeach President Yoon Suk-yeol earlier this day. The impeachment motion against him passed with 204 votes in favor, 85 against, 3 abstentions, and 8 invalid votes. Prime Minister Han Duck-soo will step in as acting president until the Constitutional Court makes its final decision.

President Yoon impeached, Constitutional Court has 180 days to decide his fate

What's next for South Korea? Constitutional Court will begin impeachment case review, but justice vacancies remain a hurdle

https://www.chosun.com/english/national-en/2024/12/14/GSHXQ3VDR5GWRIEJ6RFNYRRL5A/

By Lee Hyeon Seung,

Lee Jae-eun

Published 2024.12.14. 21:21

South Korea's Constitutional Court. / News1

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol was impeached on Dec. 14 over his short-lived and abrupt martial law declaration earlier this month. The final decision on Yoon’s impeachment now rests with the Constitutional Court.

Under the law, when the National Assembly passes an impeachment motion against a president, the court must either uphold or reject the motion within 180 days.

Yoon’s impeachment resolution was submitted to the Constitutional Court at 6:15 p.m. by Rep. Jung Chung-rae, chair of the National Assembly’s Legislative and Judiciary Committee.

Moon Hyung-bae, the acting chief of the Constitutional Court, said he will convene a meeting of judges on Monday, Dec. 16, to discuss the timeline for handling the case. He vowed to conduct a “swift and fair” trial.

If the court dismisses the impeachment, President Yoon will return to office. But if the impeachment is upheld, he will be removed from office immediately. In 2004, then-President Roh Moo-hyun returned to office 63 days after his impeachment charges were dismissed, while in 2017, then-President Park Geun-hye was removed from office 91 days after her impeachment case was upheld.

For the impeachment to be upheld, at least six of the nine Constitutional Court justices must vote in favor.

But the court currently has only six justices instead of the full nine as three vacancies remain unfilled following the retirement of former justices in October. Their replacements have yet to be appointed amid political gridlock between the ruling and opposition parties over the appointment process.

The main opposition Democratic Party of Korea, which spearheaded efforts to oust the president, has stepped up efforts to fill the vacancies only after deciding to file an impeachment motion against President Yoon. The party recommended two justices known for liberal views. The ruling People Power Party nominated a more conservative-leaning lawyer. All three nominees are expected to join the court following confirmation hearings as early as this month.

The current six sitting justices are considered a mix of conservative and liberal: four are categorized as moderate-conservative, while two are classified as liberal.

The vacancies raise questions about the court’s ability to proceed with a case as significant as a presidential impeachment. When asked whether the court can review the case only after the three vacancies are filled, Moon answered, “I don’t think so,” suggesting that the court can begin deliberations with six justices.

Under Constitutional Court law, at least seven justices must be present for deliberations, but the court suspended the seven-justice requirement in October.

When asked on November 5 whether impeachment cases could proceed without filling the three vacant seats, Acting Chief Justice Moon replied, “I don’t think so,” indicating that it is possible to deliberate on impeachment cases with only six judges.

However, when asked whether decisions on the president’s impeachment could also be made with six judges, Moon responded, “We will discuss it.” His answer implies that for a case as significant as a presidential impeachment, the decision should ideally involve all nine justices—or as close to nine as possible.

During President Roh Moo-hyun’s 2004 impeachment, all nine justice positions were filled, and in President Park Geun-hye’s 2017 case, the court was composed of eight justices.

The South Korean National Assembly voted to impeach President Yoon Suk-yeol earlier this day. The impeachment motion against him passed with 204 votes in favor, 85 against, 3 abstentions, and 8 invalid votes. Prime Minister Han Duck-soo will step in as acting president until the Constitutional Court makes its final decision.

President Yoon Suk-yeol

impeachment

National Assembly

martial law

Constitutional Court

South Korea

10. S. Korea's Democratic Party eyes $3.3 bn budget cut, plans final vote on Dec. 10

​The excerpt below illustrates the problem we are going to see with the opposition in South Korea.  

Like Kim Jong Un, they want to eliminate the focus on unification and human rights. We should think about that statement and what it says about the political and national security views of the Democratic Party in Korea. This will be a tragic development for all the Korean people, in the north and South. The Democratic Party of Korea refuses to recognize that the key to Korean security is a Korean peninsula that transforms beyond the Kim family regime by achieving a free and unified Korea. Instead they cling to the naive hope that engagement and appeasement with two systems will lead to co-existence. This is completely contrary to the nature, objectives, and strategy of the Kim family regime (and these views in fact support Kim Jong Un's political warfare strategy against the South). 

The opposition party (probably soon to be ruling party) may follow Kim Jong Un's footsteps and eliminate the pursuit of peaceful unification we should keep in mind that unification remains very much in the interests of the Korean people and of the US. We cannot achieve denuclearization as long as Kim Jong Un or his family regime remains in power.

Why supporting a free and unified Korea serves vital U.S. interests

https://www.upi.com/Voices/2024/11/19/why-free-unified-korea-serves-us-interests/8501732045596/

How civil society can pursue a free, unified Korea after martial law debacle

https://www.upi.com/Voices/2024/12/12/how-civil-society-pursue-free-unified-korea-martial-law/8491734020056/

Excerpt:

The additional cut also includes reductions to what the party deems unnecessary budgets within the Ministry of Unification, such as programs aimed at promoting global experiences related to Korean unification and fostering domestic and international consensus on North Korean human rights. Jin remarked, ‘We consider these budgets entirely unnecessary.’

S. Korea's Democratic Party eyes $3.3 bn budget cut, plans final vote on Dec. 10

By Kim Jeong-hwan,

Lee Jung-soo

Published 2024.12.09. 15:11

Updated 2024.12.10. 15:59

Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung and floor leader Park Chan-dae walk to a closed-door parliamentary meeting at the National Assembly in Seoul on Dec. 8. /News1

The Democratic Party of South Korea announced on Dec. 8 its intention to further cut the 2025 budget by approximately $487 million, citing the recent ‘insurrection situation,’ referring to the ongoing investigation into allegations of a coup attempt involving President Yoon Suk-yeol.

This move follows the party’s earlier action in the National Assembly’s Special Budget Settlement Committee, where it enforced a reduction of $2.8 billion. In total, the party aims to slash about $3.3 billion from the budget. The Democratic Party has declared that it will not engage in budget discussions without the impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol and plans to pass the reduced budget in the National Assembly’s plenary session on Dec. 10, the final day of the regular session.

Policy Committee Chair Jin Seong-joon noted, “We are thinking about cutting additional $487 million, reflecting the recent insurrection situation.” He added, “With the president effectively facing impeachment and the ruling party discussing a suspension of his duties, we believe further reducing the budget for the presidential office is appropriate.”

Jin also mentioned, “When the president leaves office, he will reside in a private residence. Although the budget for the private residence was not included in next year’s budget, we deemed the security budget for the former president unnecessary and thus made cuts.” This implies that even if President Yoon, who is under investigation for insurrection charges, steps down, immediate security for the former president would not be required.

Democratic Party’s spokesperson Han Min-soo added, “President Yoon will be held accountable both in the eyes of history and under the law.”

Democratic Party Policy Committee Chair Jin Seong-joon speaks during a stock market revitalization task force meeting with business leaders at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Seoul on Nov. 29. /Yonhap

Jin further stated, “If the president is inactive, the presidential secretariat becomes unnecessary. Therefore, we plan to cut the salaries of public officials at the secretary level and above.” He continued, “Including these, we see the need for an additional budget reduction and intend to process the revised budget accordingly.”

The additional cut also includes reductions to what the party deems unnecessary budgets within the Ministry of Unification, such as programs aimed at promoting global experiences related to Korean unification and fostering domestic and international consensus on North Korean human rights. Jin remarked, ‘We consider these budgets entirely unnecessary.’

11. (Yoon Impeachment) Opposition leader proposes parliamentary-gov't consultative body on stabilizing state affairs

Govern by committee.

(LEAD) (Yoon Impeachment) Opposition leader proposes parliamentary-gov't consultative body on stabilizing state affairs | Yonhap News Agency

en.yna.co.kr · by Chae Yun-hwan · December 15, 2024

(ATTN: UPDATES with response from ruling party in paras 4-5)

By Chae Yun-hwan

SEOUL, Dec. 15 (Yonhap) -- The leader of the main opposition Democratic Party (DP) proposed Sunday forming a consultative body between the parliament and the government to stabilize state affairs, a day after President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment over his declaration of martial law.

DP leader Lee Jae-myung made the proposal after the National Assembly passed an impeachment motion against Yoon on Saturday over his short-lived imposition of martial law on Dec. 3, suspending his duties as president.

"The normalization of the Republic of Korea is urgent," Lee said in a press conference. "The Democratic Party will actively cooperate with all political parties for the stabilization of state affairs and to recover international trust."

The People Power Party (PPP), however, rejected Lee's proposal, noting that it remains the ruling party.

"As the ruling party, (we) will take a responsible role through senior and working-level meetings with the government until the end of the Yoon Suk Yeol government," PPP floor leader Rep. Kweon Seong-dong told reporters.

Lee also said he would not take steps for the impeachment of Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who assumed duties as acting president immediately after Yoon's impeachment. Han has been asked by the police to appear for questioning as part of their investigation into the martial law declaration.

"Too many impeachments could lead to confusion in state affairs. As for now, we have decided not to take impeachment steps (against Han)," he said.

Lee also called for the Constitutional Court to take "swift" steps for Yoon's dismissal, saying that it is the only way to "minimize the country's chaos." The court has 180 days to decide whether to approve the parliament's decision that will either remove Yoon from office or have him reinstated.

Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung (L) speaks at a rally calling for President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment near the National Assembly in western Seoul on Dec. 14, 2024. (Yonhap)

yunhwanchae@yna.co.kr

(END)

en.yna.co.kr · by Chae Yun-hwan · December 15, 2024

12. Foreign ambassadors praise S. Korea's democratic resilience amid Yoon's impeachment

​As they should.

Foreign ambassadors praise S. Korea's democratic resilience amid Yoon's impeachment

The Korea Times · December 15, 2024

U.S. Ambassador to Korea Philip Goldberg / Yonhap

By Kim Hyun-bin

Foreign ambassadors in South Korea reacted to the National Assembly's impeachment vote on President Yoon Suk Yeol on Saturday, offering diverse perspectives on the political unrest and its potential impact on relations with their countries. While several ambassadors expressed support for Korea's democratic process, they also stressed the importance of maintaining stable bilateral relations.

"This is a decision made by the Koreans themselves based on constitutional application. Bilateral relations and the diplomatic agenda should not be affected, and we will make our best effort to ensure that this continues,” a South American ambassador told The Korea Times Sunday on condition of anonymity.

“We value the democratic participation of the Korean people, whose mobilizations and pressures, since the very beginning of the crisis, have allowed for the end of the series of speculations and uncertainties that had surrounded Korean political life in recent days."

A Southeast Asian ambassador said, “We are confident of the Republic of Korea’s ability to navigate challenges through peaceful and constitutional means, reflecting the strength and maturity of its democracy."

EU Ambassador to Korea Maria Castillo Fernandez / Yonhap

Another ambassador, on condition of anonymity, highlighted poor communication as a major factor in Yoon's impeachment.

"President Yoon has been impeached because of his inability to engage in productive dialogue with any of his counterparts," the ambassador said. "In impeaching President Yoon, Korea demonstrates again its citizens' commitment to democracy and the strength of the rule of law in prevailing against the authoritarian whims of a president. As for the future, political divisions remain, and it is hoped that new leaders competing in the next elections will learn that only through concerted action can the nation move forward as a whole."

U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Philip Goldberg emphasized his unwavering support for South Korea’s democratic process.

"Our commitment to peace and security on the Peninsula and in the region is unwavering," Goldberg posted on his X (formerly Twitter) account. "Foreign Minister Cho and I reaffirmed that our Alliance is and will remain ironclad. We will continue to be in close contact with the government as the democratic process continues in accordance with the constitution." He reiterated the United States' support for Korea’s constitutional process and its people during this period of uncertainty.

British Ambassador Colin Crooks / Courtesy of British Embassy in Seoul

British Ambassador to Korea Colin Crooks also expressed confidence via X in the continued partnership between South Korea and the United Kingdom, emphasizing the strength of their bilateral relationship.

"Korea is a Global Strategic Partner for the UK. We look forward to working with Acting President Han Duck-soo and the administration," Crooks posted.

The European Union delegation in Seoul issued a more measured statement, stressing the importance of upholding the Constitution, a point echoed by other EU ambassadors.

"The EU takes note of the decision by the National Assembly to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol. It is important now to ensure a swift and orderly resolution of the current political crisis in line with the Korean Constitution," the spokesperson said. The EU highlighted Korea's importance as a strategic partner and hopes for a resolution that would maintain political stability.

The German Foreign Office expressed confidence in South Korea's democracy, even amid the political turbulence. "Korea is a key partner in the Indo-Pacific. Tens of thousands of people gathering peacefully in the streets have demonstrated that Korea's democracy is resilient. We are confident that political stability will be restored with today’s impeachment motion in parliament."

Russian Ambassador to Korea Georgy Zinoviev / Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk

On the other hand, Russian Ambassador to South Korea Georgy Zinoviev offered a more cautious and critical view, claiming to have recently observed a noticeable deterioration in bilateral relations. However, he acknowledged that Seoul had not yet crossed the "red line" and hoped that the domestic political situation would not hinder the potential recovery of ties.

South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs criticized the Russian ambassador on Sunday for publicly linking the impeachment to bilateral relations. The ministry stated it was inappropriate for foreign diplomats to comment on South Korea's domestic politics.

"If Russia wishes to restore South Korea-Russia relations, the first step should be to cease illegal military cooperation with North Korea, which threatens peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula," a ministry official said.

The Korea Times · December 15, 2024

13. Who is acting President Han Duck-soo?

Who is acting President Han Duck-soo?

The Korea Times · December 15, 2024

Acting President and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo speaks to reporters at the Government Complex in Seoul, Sunday. Yonhap

By Lee Yeon-woo

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who has assumed the role of acting president following the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol on Saturday, is a career bureaucrat with a background in economics who has spent 40 years as a public servant.

Known for his nonpartisan approach and meticulous working style, Han is widely regarded as a stabilizing figure during a time of unprecedented political uncertainty.

Born in 1946 in Jeonju, North Jeolla Province, Han graduated from Seoul National University and later earned a Ph.D. in economics from Harvard University. He began his career as a customs officer after passing the civil service exam in 1970 and has since held nearly every key government position.

Han’s career has been marked by his ability to work efficiently across political lines, serving under both liberal and conservative administrations.

During the liberal Kim Dae-jung administration (1998-2003), he served as minister for trade in the former Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade in 1998. In the latter part of Kim's term, Han served as the senior presidential secretary for economic affairs.

During the 2003-08 Roh Moo-hyun administration, he played a pivotal role in negotiating the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement in 2006 and was later appointed prime minister in 2007.

Han continued to demonstrate his expertise under the conservative Lee Myung-bak administration, serving as Korea’s ambassador to the United States, and later as chairman of the Korea International Trade Association.

In 2022, he returned to the role of prime minister under Yoon, becoming the longest-serving prime minister since Korea’s democratization in 1987.

Throughout his latest tenure, Han has been credited with focusing on domestic affairs, thereby counterbalancing Yoon’s emphasis on foreign policy. His seasoned leadership has been particularly evident during national crises, such as his management of controversies surrounding the World Scout Jamboree in 2023 and the release of contaminated water from Fukushima.

With Yoon’s duties officially suspended as of 7:24 p.m., Saturday, Han assumed full presidential powers, including commanding the Armed Forces, ratifying treaties and exercising legislative vetoes. Political observers expect him to draw on his decades of expertise to address pressing issues in national defense, diplomacy and the economy.

Yet, Han's time as acting president is unlikely to be smooth.

He faces critical decisions, such as whether to veto opposition-led bills, including the special prosecution bill targeting first lady Kim Keon Hee.

Han himself is also under investigation by both an opposition-led special counsel and the National Police Agency. The opposition accuses Han of colluding with Yoon, citing his presence at a Cabinet meeting held shortly before Yoon declared martial law.

Despite mounting challenges, Han vowed to fulfill his duties with unwavering commitment. At his first Cabinet meeting as acting president, he vowed to "take full responsibility" and ensure "there will be no vacuum in state affairs."

The Korea Times · December 15, 2024

​14. The Impeachment of South Korea’s President, Explained

The Impeachment of South Korea’s President, Explained

In its second attempt, the National Assembly moved to force President Yoon Suk Yeol from office. But the troubles for him and his country are far from over.

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/14/world/asia/south-korea-impeachment-yoon-explained.html

Song Ji-eun, 29, celebrating in Seoul after President Yoon Suk Yeol was impeached on Saturday.Credit...Chang W. Lee/The New York Times

By Choe Sang-Hun

Reporting from Seoul

Dec. 14, 2024

President Yoon Suk Yeol’s short-lived declaration of martial law has created South Korea’s biggest constitutional crisis since the country democratized in the late 1980s.

On Saturday, Mr. Yoon was impeached by the National Assembly, making him the third South Korean president to be suspended from power through such a vote.

But the uncertainty over the country’s political future is far from resolved.

The fate of Mr. Yoon, a deeply unpopular leader, now rests in the hands of the Constitutional Court, which will decide within the next six months whether to reinstate or formally remove him.

In addition to impeachment, Mr. Yoon faces a criminal inquiry, the first ever to target a sitting South Korean president. He has been banned from leaving the country as the police and prosecutors investigate ​whether he and his supporters in the government and military committed insurrection when they sent armed troops into the National Assembly earlier this month.

Here is where things stand for Mr. Yoon and South Korea.

Why was the president impeached?

Mr. Yoon’s martial law decree on Dec. 3, which put the country under military rule for the first time in 45 years, lasted only six hours. But it threw South Korea’s democracy into chaos and drew public outrage, recalling the country’s painful history of military dictatorship decades ago.

Image

Mr. Yoon as he declared martial law on Dec. 3.Credit...South Korean Presidential Office, via Agence France-Presse — Getty Images

In the impeachment bill, opposition lawmakers argued that Mr. Yoon had perpetrated an insurrection when he made the martial law declaration and sent troops into the Assembly. They said that was an attempt to stop lawmakers from voting down the decree, as was their right under the Constitution.

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An initial impeachment vote on Dec. 7 failed, after lawmakers from Mr. Yoon’s People Power Party boycotted it, saying that he should be given a chance to resign.

On Saturday, the party said that it officially opposed impeachment, but its lawmakers were allowed to cast their secret ballots. The result indicated that 12 lawmakers from Mr. Yoon’s party had joined the opposition to impeach him and another 11 abstained or cast invalid votes, sealing his fate.

The vote tally was 204 in favor and 85 against.

What are the criminal accusations against the president?

The investigations into the president center on the deployment of armed troops to the National Assembly.

Col. Kim Hyun-tae, who led a special forces unit that was sent into the assembly, said he received orders to forcibly remove lawmakers ​to prevent 150 of them — the number required to repeal martial law — from gathering.

Image

Col. Kim Hyun-tae told reporters that his troops were victims exploited by the defense minister.

Credit...Yonhap/EPA, via Shutterstock

South Korea’s criminal ​law defines insurrection as any attempt to “overthrow government organs established by the Constitution or to render the exercise of their functions impossible by force.”

If ​Mr. Yoon were to be convicted of insurrection and the court ​ruled that he was its ringleader, he​ could face the death penalty or life imprisonment. Prosecutors have arrested his former defense minister​ and two former police chiefs on charges of helping to carry out insurrection.

Why did Yoon do it?

Mr. Yoon has said that he declared ​martial law out of “desperation​” in the face of an opposition that used its parliamentary majority to “paralyze” his government. Mr. Yoon ​criticized the opposition for slashing some of his government budgets planned for next year​, as well as its frequent attempts to impeach his political appointees.

But such complaints cannot be grounds for declaring martial law, Kim Young Hoon, head of the Korean Bar Association, previously told The New York Times. Mr. Yoon also did not immediately notify the National Assembly of his declaration of martial law, as required by law, according to the assembly.

“It’s clear that President Yoon’s declaration of martial law failed to meet the requirements set by the Constitution,” Mr. Kim said​.

Cho Ji-ho, head of the National Police Agency, ​told the assembly on Monday that when martial law was briefly in place, the military asked the police to help it locate and detain 15 people, including the leaders of the biggest political parties​.

Even during martial law, however, the president has no right to detain lawmakers unless they are caught in committing a crime.

What happens now?

Mr. Yoon has vowed to fight in court to regain his power.

In a recorded speech released shortly after his impeachment, he listed what he considers his accomplishments as president, including his efforts to strengthen military ties with the United States and Japan. Now, his efforts have been paused, he said.

“But I will never give up,” he said.

The court will decide within the next 180 days whether Mr. Yoon is guilty of the crimes the National Assembly accused him of and, if so, whether they are serious enough to merit removal. If the court does formally remove him, South Korea is then supposed to elect a new leader within two months.

During Mr. Yoon’s suspension from office, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, the No. 2 official in the government hierarchy, will serve as interim leader. Because Mr. Han is not an elected official, he will lead South Korea with no real political heft as the country faces challenges like North Korea’s growing nuclear threat and the return of Donald J. Trump to the White House.

Image

The opposition leader, Lee Jae-myung, and other lawmakers leaving a hall in the National Assembly after the impeachment of Mr. Yoon on Saturday.Credit...Yonhap, via Agence France-Presse — Getty Images

As Mr. Yoon awaits action by the Constitutional Court on his impeachment, he is also watching for the next steps by investigators. It remained unclear when they would question him or whether they would attempt to arrest him.

The ban on overseas travel “is usually considered a precursor to arrest,” Kim Jongcheol, a professor of law at Yonsei University in Seoul, previously told The Times.

Jin Yu Young and Victoria Kim contributed reporting.

Choe Sang-Hun is the lead reporter for The Times in Seoul, covering South and North Korea. More about Choe Sang-Hun

​15. ​After Impeachment, South Korea Is Left With No Elected Leader

​After Impeachment, South Korea Is Left With No Elected Leader

The suspension of President Yoon Suk Yeol’s powers left a seasoned but unelected prime minister in charge of a country facing daunting challenges at home and abroad.

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/15/world/asia/south-korea-impeachment.html

Protesters outside the National Assembly in Seoul on Saturday. People danced in the streets outside the building after President Yoon Suk Yeol was impeached.Credit...Jun Michael Park for The New York Times

By Choe Sang-Hun

Reporting from Seoul

Dec. 15, 2024

Updated 4:00 a.m. ET

President Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment and suspension from office has left South Korea, one of the United States’ most important allies, without a strong​ elected leader to tackle challenges like a belligerent North Korea and a deepening political polarization at home.​

By voting to impeach Mr. Yoon on Saturday, the National Assembly delivered a crushing vote of no confidence in a leader who had been unpopular through his term. ​Outside the legislature, people danced in the streets, celebrating Mr. Yoon’s peaceful removal from office less than two weeks after his declaration of martial law as proof of the resilience of the country’s democracy.

Yet, despite their euphoria, the political turmoil and uncertainty unleashed by Mr. Yoon’s botched attempt on Dec. 3 to place his country under military rule for the first time in 45 years remained unresolved.

His impeachment has created a political vacuum at the top. Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, the No. 2 official in the government hierarchy, has stepped in as the interim leader, but he has no electoral mandate. A new government cannot be born until the Constitutional Court decides whether to reinstate or formally oust Mr. Yoon.

The court’s deliberations could take up to six months. When the court deliberated on the impeachment of President Park Geun-hye in 2016, it needed three months to reach its conclusion and remove her. This time, the nine-member court has the additional problem of having three vacancies to fill. In the coming days, the National Assembly is expected to name three justices, asking Mr. Han to formally appoint them. Only two of the existing six justices were appointed by Mr. Yoon’s progressive predecessor, Moon Jae-in.

If Mr. Yoon is formally removed, South Korea will need another two months to elect a new president.

Image

An effigy of Mr. Yoon during a protest in Seoul on Saturday.Credit...Chang W. Lee/The New York Times

Mr. Yoon said he would “never give up” the fight to return to office. But he also faces investigations by the police and prosecutors on charges including insurrection, which could lead to ​his arrest. Prosecutors said they asked Mr. Yoon to present himself on Sunday for questioning, but he did not show up. They said they would summon him again.

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The impeachment bill accused Mr. Yoon of perpetrating an insurrection when he declared martial law, because he sent troops into the National Assembly to block it from voting down his martial law, as it is allowed to do under the Constitution, and to detain his political opponents. Senior officials in the government, police and military have been arrested on charges of helping him carry out an insurrection.

The political turmoil will make it harder for South Korea to navigate the uncertainty around the incoming Donald J. Trump administration. Mr. Trump has described the alliance with South Korea as a terrible bargain for the United States and said that he would get along well with North Korea’s leader, Kim Jong-un. Mr. Trump has threatened to make South Korea pay more for the 28,500 American troops based on its soil and to impose bigger tariffs on South Korean exports to the United States.

“We won’t have strong leaders who can actively negotiate with the Trump administration to sort these things out,” said Sung Deuk Hahm, a professor of political science at Kyonggi University, west of Seoul.

The challenge for Mr. Han, the interim leader, will be to keep the government functioning through this crisis. Though Mr. Han has been a career bureaucrat since the early 1970s, serving in posts that include trade negotiator, finance minister and ambassador to the United States, he lacks political clout because prime minister is not an elected post.

“The acting president’s role is to maintain the status quo,” said Lim Ji-bong, a professor of law and expert on the Constitution at Sogang University in Seoul. “Enforcing a significant new policy is considered beyond his power.”

Mr. Han and both the country’s finance and foreign ministers have faced questions over their roles in Mr. Yoon’s declaration of martial law, further limiting their mandate, according to some legal scholars and opposition lawmakers. Mr. Han said he and other ministers opposed Mr. Yoon’s martial law decree but could not persuade him out of it.

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Han Duck-soo, center, the interim leader, at a cabinet meeting in Seoul on Saturday.Credit...Yonhap News Agency, via Reuters

Mr. Han is viewed more as an even-keeled caretaker than as a charismatic leader, in some ways complementing Mr. Yoon, who has been criticized as impulsive and a braggart. When Mr. Yoon came under fire for inadequate preparations for the World Scout Jamboree last year that left hundreds ill from heat exhaustion, it was Mr. Han who traveled to the campsite to personally clean the public bathrooms there.

Such acumen served him well in his bureaucratic career. Now he will need to draw on all his skills to steer his country through a constitutional crisis and other intractable problems, including a widening income gap, mounting household debt and simmering gender and generational tensions.

One of the first things he did as acting president on Saturday was to call the National Security Council to check on the country’s military preparedness. On Sunday, he called President Biden to emphasize the importance of the alliance. Matthew Miller, spokesman of the U.S. State Department, said that the alliance remained “ironclad.”

“I consider this my last and most important mission in my long career in the public sector,” Mr. Han, 75, said about his new role. “I will do the best I can.”

The main opposition Democratic Party had at first threatened to impeach Mr. Han for his role in Mr. Yoon’s martial law. But on Sunday, the party retracted the threat and its leader, Lee Jae-myung, proposed establishing a consultative body comprising members of the political parties and the government to help stabilize the country. He also urged the Constitutional Court to reach its conclusion as soon as possible. Mr. Lee is favored to win if a presidential election were to be held now.

“The most urgent thing is to normalize the country,” Mr. Lee said at a news conference on Sunday.

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Lee Jae-myung, leader of the main opposition Democratic Party, with party members after the vote on Saturday.Credit...Kim Ju-Hyung/Yonhap, via Associated Press

In a defiant speech on Thursday, Mr. Yoon said he would “fight to the end” the attempt to unseat him — a message that political analysts said was a battle cry for his supporters and was expected to deepen political polarization. Mr. Yoon has die-hard supporters among right-wing South Koreans. A long line of wreaths and messages of support for him stretched along the street leading to his office.

Mr. Yoon had won plaudits in Washington and Tokyo by aligning his country more closely with the United States and Japan to deter China and North Korea. But at home, his two-and-a-half years in office have been marked by a near-constant clash with the opposition, allegations of corruption and abuse of power involving him and his wife, and accusations that he used state prosecutors to silence unfriendly journalists and political dissidents.

Most South Koreans would rather live with the temporary political uncertainty than keep in office the unpopular president whom they see as having hurt their country’s image as a vibrant Asian democracy with global cultural appeal.

Mr. Yoon’s misjudged martial law also damaged his image abroad by creating questions about the South Korean conservative elites’ commitment to democratic norms and the integrity of the country’s military, analysts say.

“He blew away his foreign policy achievements — which could have been his most important legacy — through his self-destructing terror,” said Prof. Hahm.

Choe Sang-Hun is the lead reporter for The Times in Seoul, covering South and North Korea. More about Choe Sang-Hun

De Oppresso Liber,

David Maxwell

Vice President, Center for Asia Pacific Strategy

Senior Fellow, Global Peace Foundation

Editor, Small Wars Journal

Twitter: @davidmaxwell161

Phone: 202-573-8647

email: david.maxwell161@gmail.com