South Korea Impeaches President Yoon, Acting Leader Oversees Emergency Transition

South Korea is navigating a critical political juncture following the impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol, who faced backlash for declaring martial law in 2024, leading to his removal amid concerns over authoritarian overreach and democratic fragility. Yoon's tenure, marked by political polarization, confrontations with the media, and diplomatic missteps, has left the country deeply divided and eager for national integration under new leadership. The June 3 presidential election is seen as pivotal, with candidates Lee Jae-myung and Kim Moon-soo offering divergent visions; Lee advocates pragmatic diplomacy balancing relations with China, Russia, and the US, while Kim emphasizes strengthening the US military alliance and economic deregulation. Lee's approach suggests a move towards greater foreign policy independence, whereas Kim aligns more closely with traditional US-South Korea security ties and is open to increased defense cost-sharing. This political transition highlights South Korea's ongoing struggle to solidify its democratic institutions while reassessing its strategic international relationships amid regional and domestic challenges.