The impeachment automatically suspended Yoon's powers and Prime Minister Han Duck-soo will serve as acting president. But his interim status may limit his ability to engage in substantive diplomatic negotiations with foreign counterparts.
Experts warn that without a fully empowered leader, South Korea may struggle to secure high-level meetings or influence Washington’s evolving policies under Trump, whose transactional approach to alliances during his first term stirred tensions with Seoul.
For decades, Seoul has sought early summits with new U.S. administrations to shape bilateral policy. Yet, with President Yoon unable to engage directly, a South Korea-U.S. summit during Trump’s initial months in office now appears unlikely.
Delays in leadership-level diplomacy will make it harder for South Korea to ensure its interests are reflected in U.S. foreign policy, experts said.
Seoul also faces potential friction over defense cost-sharing. Trump has previously demanded significant increases in South Korea’s financial contributions to hosting U.S. troops. Observers caution he may revisit the Special Measures Agreement, potentially straining the alliance.
The impeachment crisis may also hinder South Korea’s progress with neighboring nations. Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, who was planning a visit to Seoul in January to commemorate the 60th anniversary of bilateral relations, has reportedly postponed his trip amid the political turbulence.
South Korea’s efforts to sustain recent momentum in improving ties with China could also falter. Analysts fear a diplomatic void could leave regional partnerships stagnant at a time when stronger collaboration is needed to address shared challenges, including North Korea and economic integration.
The political uncertainty casts doubt on South Korea’s ability to host high-profile multilateral events in 2024, including the APEC Summit in Gyeongju and the Korea-Central Asia Summit.
Domestic turmoil has already tarnished South Korea’s global image, undermining its standing as a stable democracy. Experts argue that addressing this reputational damage is as critical as managing immediate diplomatic tasks.
Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul said on Friday that the ministry would focus on maintaining the U.S.-South Korea alliance and work to restore international trust.
To mitigate the fallout, South Korea has initiated a diplomatic outreach campaign, briefing foreign embassies in Seoul on the country’s stable security environment and efforts to maintain order.