A protest rally demanding the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol is held in front of the National Assembly on Dec. 11, 2024. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, Jan. 8 (Korea Bizwire) — In a recent op-ed for The Hill, U.S. Congresswoman Young Kim (R-CA) argued that the political forces behind South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol’s impeachment pose a threat to the U.S.-South Korea alliance and trilateral cooperation with Japan.
Kim’s comments mark the first instance of U.S. lawmakers openly criticizing the impeachment movement following South Korea’s recent political turmoil.
Kim, a Korean-American and chair of the House Subcommittee on the Indo-Pacific, claimed Yoon’s impeachment was driven by opposition to his tough stance on North Korea, China, and Russia, as well as his perceived pro-Japan policies.
She lamented that such motives undermine critical trilateral cooperation essential for regional stability, especially amid China’s military expansion and unprecedented North Korea-Russia ties.
Controversy Over Misrepresentation of Facts
Congresswoman Young Kim (R-CA) (Image courtesy of Wikipedia)
Kim referenced an earlier, rejected impeachment proposal against Yoon, which criticized his foreign policy as “antagonizing North Korea, China, and Russia while excessively favoring Japan.”
However, the approved impeachment motion omitted this language, raising concerns that Kim’s statements could mislead U.S. policymakers, including President-elect Donald Trump, who has yet to comment on South Korea’s political crisis.
Elon Musk, a key figure in Trump’s incoming administration, recently highlighted the situation in a social media post, questioning the core issues behind what he described as South Korea’s “wild time.”
Media and Public Perception
Kim also criticized Western media for focusing solely on pro-impeachment demonstrations while neglecting opposition rallies. She noted that South Koreans protesting Yoon’s impeachment frequently wave both the South Korean and U.S. flags, signaling strong support for the alliance.
Concerns Over Korean War Peace Declaration
Kim expressed further concerns about a faction pushing for a premature declaration to end the Korean War, warning that it could jeopardize U.S. troop presence in South Korea and halt joint military drills.
She argued that increased anti-American sentiment and political instability signal opportunity to adversaries like North Korea and China.
The peace declaration Kim referenced aligns with the Peace on the Korean Peninsula Act, co-sponsored by Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA) and other Korean-American lawmakers.
The bill advocates for a declaration ending the Korean War, a peace treaty with North Korea, and the establishment of liaison offices between the U.S. and North Korea.
Controversy Surrounding Pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon
Kim has faced scrutiny for her alleged ties to Pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon, a controversial figure in South Korea who opposes the Korean War peace initiative. Jeon claimed to have discussed anti-peace activities with Kim during a U.S. visit in 2023, though Kim later clarified that no illegal or improper support occurred.
Kim’s remarks come at a delicate time for South Korea-U.S. relations, with her criticisms sparking concerns about potential misunderstandings in Washington as Trump’s administration prepares to take office.
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)
