Concern on Neighbor Impeachment

While it was highly predictable, Japanese media were shocked by the news from a neighbor nation. South Korean Constitutional Court unanimously upheld the decision of National Assembly to impeach President of Republic of Korea, Park Geun-hye, on Friday. Park was immediately dismissed. Japanese government has not fully realized how the political confusion in South Korea affects diplomacy of Japan.

The decision of Constitutional Court reflected public opinion in South Korea that overwhelmingly demanded resignation of Park. Although the dismissal required six approvals from all eight judges, all judges expressed yes to the impeachment of Park. The court recognized Park’s abuse of Presidential status and power in the relationship with her old friend Choi Soon-sil, arrested with illegal involvement in national government, and criticized Park of her irresponsibility in not cooperating with investigation on the case. “Park’s unconstitutional and illegal activities were against trust of the people and caused significant consequence of negative effect on constitutional order,” sentenced acting chief judge, Lee Jung-mi.

The greatest concern for Japanese government is implementation of the agreement between Park and Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in December 2015, in which both leaders agreed on final solution of comfort woman issue. Abe administration has been expecting Park to settle the issue against public objection, it is possible now that conservative movement will overturn the agreement.

Bilateral relationship between Japan and South Korea is not in a preferable situation after a statue of comfort woman was build in front of Consulate General in Busan last December and Japan repatriated Ambassador to South Korea as a protest against the treatment of RoK government on the issue. “We have not changed our policy to promote stable implementation of the agreement between Japan and South Korea or security cooperation with current and incoming ROK administration,” told Chief Cabinet Secretary, Yoshihide Suga.

Presidential election for next South Korean leader is expected in early May. It has been reported that a liberal leader Moon Jae-in is leading the race. But, the agreement of final solution on comfort woman issue is broadly unpopular to any party of South Korean politics. Political confusion in South Korea might ignite another intimidation of North Korea, bringing further instability in security in Northeast Asia. Japanese government looks like not having many options to maintain preferable bilateral relationship with South Korea.