Korea’s Impeachment Crisis Might Have Negative Implications on Korea-US Alliance

The Asian Wall Street Journal published an article on March 23 by Danny Gittings, deputy editorial page editor, concerning the potentially damaging effect that President Roh’s impeachment might have on the Korea-US Alliance. Below is the summary.

After a three-day stay, I found very few Koreans who expected the Constitutional Court to judge following the impeachment proceedings of the National Assembly. No one seemed to think that President Roh’s fate rested on a legal decision. These people launched into “street politics” and welcomed the possibility of President Roh’s return, which were reflected in public poll statistics and candle demonstrations on the streets.

However, on the other side of the seemingly peaceful demonstration lies a dangerous tendency of striking a serious blow to the military alliance between Korea and the U.S. A Korean expected that the impeachment opposition movement would inevitably instigate the claim to withdraw American soldiers stationed in Korea.

Despite past public claims of “not lowering their heads to the U.S.” and withdrawal of the American troops, ever since President Roh’s inauguration, the Korea-U.S. alliance recovered their past relationship. This is because he proved his practicality. Although with reservations, he even sent troops to Iraq.

Nevertheless, there have gradually been changes with the disappearance of factors restricting President Roh. If the Woori Party, consisting of radicals supporting President Roh, establishes itself as the dominant party during the April 15 election and organizes a National Assembly more radical than the President, the restraining force is likely to disappear.

Presently, public support for the U.S. troops in Korea can only become weakened with the execution of impeachment lessons by the leftist National Teachers Labor Union.

Perceiving President Roh as having peaceful intentions with North Korea is a more fundamental issue. Pyongyang has taken advantage of this in their confrontation surrounding the nuclear development program. Considering this backdrop, a withering of the Korea-U.S. alliance will only deepen.

Jin Lee leej@donga.com