Political crisis will damage South Korea’s credibility

Significance While several probes into insurrection charges against Yoon are under way, lack of clarity on his status and legitimacy has created a limbo that is damaging, unconstitutional, politically untenable and roiling markets. Impacts Though bloodless, the turmoil will stain South Korea’s image; the damage will be worse unless Yoon leaves office soon. Fears that North Korea may exploit chaos in the South seem unwarranted so far; Pyongyang has yet to comment, much less act. Seoul’s foreign policy would change significantly under the DPK -- especially if the new president is its hard-line leader, Lee Jae-myung.