South Korea Impeachment of President Park Is Latest Hit to Global Political Order
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Likely successors to President Park take different views on ties with Washington, free trade and big business.
The impeachment of South Korea’s president brings the prospect of a new government for one of the U.S.’s closest allies that could have a skeptical stance toward Washington, a softer line on Pyongyang and a friendlier approach to China.
The resounding decision by the National Assembly to impeach President Park Geun-hye, by a 234-56 vote, is a fresh earthquake to hit the global political order after populist victories in British and Italian referendums, and Donald Trump’s election as U.S. president.
Ms. Park’s immediate removal from power over a corruption scandal marks a turning point after the country’s biggest political crisis in years brought millions onto the streets in protest against her.
Ms. Park has been accused by prosecutors of leaking confidential presidential documents and helping a close friend shake down companies for money. She has denied wrongdoing in three televised statements.
In a cabinet meeting after the vote, Ms. Park said, “I am truly sorry to my fellow Koreans that my carelessness and shortcomings have led to such grave national turmoil.”
If the Constitutional Court upholds the impeachment motion as expected in coming weeks, a presidential election would take place two months later, with most polls showing leftist challengers as the top contenders.
The left-of-center opposition parties have been more skeptical of South Korea’s alliance with the U.S., and could jeopardize policies Washington promotes, such as the enforcement of tough sanctions on Pyongyang or the deployment of a new missile defense system known as Thaad.
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