Seeking Diplomatic Maintenance with ROK

The Constitutional Court of the Republic of Korea (ROK) upheld the impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol by the National Assembly, ruling that the martial law declared by President Yoon Suk-yeol last December was unconstitutional. The decision immediately led to resignation of Yoon as the president and presidential election will be held within 60 days. Losing a president who has contributed to rebuilding bilateral relations with Japan, Japanese government considers how to maintain the momentum with next ROK administration.

On December 3rd of 2024, Yoon declared martial law, accusing the opposition parties of their anti-state activities, and sent military force into the National Assembly as he issued an order to stop activities of parties and demonstrations. The National Assembly passed a resolution in the midnight that demanded lifting martial law. The martial law was cancelled by early in the next morning.

 

The court found that the martial law and sending troops was “denial of people’s sovereignty and democracy” and intolerable illegal activity from the perspective for protecting the constitution. Dismissing existence of a crisis which could justify a martial law, the court recognized the deployment of military personnel as violation of neutrality of military forces and as infringement of people’s sovereignty.

 

Yoon apologized to the people of his incapability to meet public expectation as the president. The presidential election for replacing Yoon is expected to be voted on June 3rd. It is speculated that the leading candidate for the election is the head of the opposition Democratic Party, Lee Jae-myung.

 

Yoon has been regarded in Japan as an ROK leader who has moderate perception on Japan. He settled the dispute over wartime Japan’s forced labor on Korean workers with compensation by ROK’s government-related funds. Yoon resumed “shuttle diplomacy,” constant visits of both leaders to each other, as he established close relationship with former Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

 

The Prime Minister of Japan, Shigeru Ishiba, insisted on no change in the relationship between Japan and ROK even after the ROK president is replaced. “It is extremely important for both countries to maintain close coordination,” said Ishiba. Japan and ROK share common interest to deal with possible advance of China to Taiwan or other region in East Asia, or America-First policies on security or international trade by Donald Trump administration.

 

Lee Jae-myung is known in Japan as a hardliner against Japan. That reputation was confirmed in his protest with fasting against Japan’s decision of discharging “processed” water of Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant into the Pacific Ocean in 2023. Although it is reported that Lee has been taking softer approach to Japan than his previous attitudes, the diplomatic officials in Japan are watching closely at the developments after the impeachment of Yoon.

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