SHANGHAI, December 5. /TASS/. The crisis in South Korea reflects not only internal political strife but also highlights the failure of the Biden administration’s foreign policy, which has been supported by Seoul, a prominent Chinese expert told TASS.
"As a representative of South Korea’s far-right political forces, supported by the United States, [President of the Republic of Korea] Yoon Suk-yeol has eagerly backed the Biden administration’s foreign policy globally and in the Asia-Pacific region, often to the detriment of South Korea’s core national interests since coming to power," Professor Gao Jian, Senior Researcher and Secretary General of the Shanghai Academy of Global Governance and Area Studies at Shanghai International Studies University, explained.
According to him, from the beginning of his presidency, the incumbent South Korean leader has aligned his foreign policies in the Asia-Pacific with the United States, significantly increasing cooperation with NATO and following the US lead in containing China, which has worsened ties with Beijing.
"The Yoon Suk-yeol administration’s crisis clearly shows that the Biden administration’s global strategy and the [US] foreign policy in the Asia-Pacific region have failed," the expert said.
Gao predicted that Yoon Suk-yeol’s decision to declare martial law would certainly harm his future political standing. "Although his political party still supports his retention of power, it will be difficult for Yoon Suk-yeol to achieve any significant results before his presidential term ends," the expert concluded.
On December 3, the South Korean leader declared martial law in response to what he described as pro-North Korean elements, a move that was lifted around six hours later. On December 4, the opposition initiated impeachment proceedings against Yoon Suk-yeol, accusing him of violating the Constitution by declaring martial law without justification. The vote is expected on December 6 or 7. News emerged earlier on Thursday that Yoon Suk-yeol had accepted Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun’s resignation.