South Korea

An Irish missionary in South Korea for almost fifty years, he explains to AsiaNews how current divisions within South Korean society have developed. For Fr Donal O'Keeffe, the situation is progressing "slowly", and is not a total stalemate. The country lacks prominent figures capable of taking over the reins of power and give it a clear direction.

Lawyers for the impeached president continue to argue that the investigation is illegal. Another hearing is set to take place in Yoon’s impeachment trial tomorrow at the Constitutional Court, but it is unclear whether he will be present. In the meantime, the rift in South Korean society is widening.

The president did not resist this time, but he exercised his right to remain silent when questioned. In a video message, he said that he would appear before the Constitutional Court in the coming days. South Korean society is now split in two, with the ruling conservatives and opposition democrats almost evenly split.

The crash of a low-cost Jeju Air plane killed 179 of the 181 people on board. World leaders express their solidarity to the East Asian nation. An investigation into the causes of the tragedy is already underway. Meanwhile, investigators have issued an arrest warrant against President Yoon Suk Yeol for imposing martial law.

South Korea has introduced a voluntary repatriation programme for illegal migrants that would avoid expulsion and include a waiver on heavy fines. At the end of 2023, some 423,675 foreigners were staying illegally in the East Asian country out of more than 2.5 million. About 145,000 Thais, who are more than a third of all foreigners staying illegally, could benefit from the measure.

While the Constitutional Court announced a preliminary hearing, the government and the opposition are unable to agree on the veto power the prime minister can use as acting president. Several important bills are thus stuck in Parliament. South Korean bishops have issued a new appeal to politicians to work together respectful of the democratic process.

Today 204 MPs out of a total of 300 voted on the impeachment motion. There were 85 votes against, three MPs abstained and eight invalidated ballots. At least 12 members of the majority were in favour of the ouster. The constitutional judges (three out of nine are vacant) will have to approve the decision within 180 days. For experts and analysts ‘this is not the end of the turmoil’.

On the bitter clash triggered by President Yoon's attempt to proclaim martial law, Radio Azattyk has gathered the opinions of Kazakhs who (with or without papers) are lacorating in the Korean capital. In their voices the hope that a change in the country's leadership will make life easier for them too.

The Democratic Party slams the government for trying to sideline President Yoon Suk yeol by handing power over to the prime minister and to the governing party’s leader, calling it an “illegal, unconstitutional act”. The People Power Party has failed so far to find a solution to the political stalemate, while the opposition is using legal channels to force its hand.

The impeachment motion against the president who tried to impose martial law was blocked. In his first address after the tumultuous night last Wednesday, Yoon called it an act of "desperation", pledging not to repeat it. The People Power Party, which sees his resignation as "inevitable", is taking its time to negotiate a less traumatic exit. Appealing to protesters, the opposition, however, won’t have it, and will try another impeachment motion.

The debate on Yoon's impeachment is set for tomorrow afternoon local time. The opposition only needs eight votes from the People Power Party for the impeachment to pass, a move made more likely after news reports suggest that the president planned to have other political leaders arrested on the night of the attempted coup. In case of approval, the matter would move to the Constitutional Court, where, however, only six out of nine judges are in office (four appointed by Yoon himself).

The opposition has tabled a motion to impeach the head of state to be voted in the coming days. Interior and Defence ministers, who allegedly played a role in imposing martial law, are also accused. Civil society groups take to the streets calling for the president’s resignation.