South Korea, which was celebrated and appreciated for its democratic resilience, now confronts an unparalleled challenge as political unrest persists into the new year.

The impeachment of President Yoon Suk Yeol in December, initially seen as a victory against authoritarianism, has devolved into a turbulent power struggle, with both ruling and opposition factions facing allegations of compromising democratic principles and leading the country to a democratic crossroads.

While the impeachment of President Yoon on Dec. 14 for imposing martial law marked a watershed moment in South Korean politics, the subsequent impeachment of acting President Han Duck-soo by the National Assembly on Dec. 27 further complicated the political landscape.

The National Assembly, led by the opposition Democratic Party of Korea justified Han's removal by pointing to his reluctance to appoint new Constitutional Court judges crucial to ruling on Yoon’s impeachment. Despite initial pledges by Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung to avoid excessive impeachments, the opposition reversed course, plunging South Korea into political uncertainty.

Legal scholars also raised arguments regarding allowing the quorum for the impeachment of acting President Han with a simple majority of 151 votes, the threshold meant for cabinet ministers. Choi Sang-mok was appointed acting president following Han’s ouster, making him the third president of South Korea in December.

One can even argue that Choi’s administration, facing a struggle to assuage the opposition Democratic Party, finally relented on the appointment of at least two additional judges for the Constitutional Court. The court, composed of eight judges following the December appointments, will now continue to hear arguments in Yoon’s impeachment case.

Meanwhile, there have been fresh protests on both sides of the political spectrum since the beginning of January. While there have been continued rallies calling for the arrest of Yoon, there are also rising protests in support of the impeached president by his die-hard supporters.

The developments look disconcertingly similar to the plot of the 2024 K-drama series “Whirlwind.” During the first attempt at detention and execution of the arrest warrant for the impeached president, a tense five-hour standoff took place on Jan. 3 between the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials and the Presidential Security Service personnel. The CIO officials had to evade hundreds of Yoon supporters to finally enter the Presidential compounds before being forced to withdraw, citing safety concerns for its team on the ground.

One of the more perplexing observations regarding the Yoon supporters has been their Trump-esque messaging, similar to the polarizing expressions of discontent during the January 2021 Capitol attack in the US. In fact, during preparations for a second attempt at arresting Yoon on Jan. 10, the sympathizers of the impeached president were reported to have threatened a civil war if Yoon were to be arrested.

Incidentally, the ruling People Power Party floor leader Rep. Kwon Seong-dong, echoing the party line, also warned against mobilizing forces to arrest Yoon while refusing to take any responsibility if violence ensued.

The streets of Seoul, which were once unified in mass protests against Yoon’s martial law decree, are now host to division and increased political rhetoric. Surveys have also suggested that the support ratings for the ruling party are recovering to the pre-martial law levels. While the moderates were earlier fueled by Yoon’s unpopular martial law, especially during a time of peace, they are now seemingly growing cautious over the excessive impeachments or threats of impeachment gradually pushing the People Power Party leadership further down, which for them points to the Democratic Party prioritizing political gain over the economy and stability.

The ongoing crisis has revealed that there is an urgent need to propose amendments to the South Korean impeachment laws. The reforms should clarify procedural ambiguities and prevent the misuse of impeachment as a political tool. These proposals should garner bipartisan support if the country is ready to acknowledge the growing recognition of the need for institutional safeguards.

South Korea’s political instability has drawn international concern over the “global pivotal state” aspirations once declared by Yoon. China has called for maintaining stability in the region. Japan seeks to maintain continuity in its security ties with South Korea, and their foreign ministers even met in Seoul amid the ongoing political turmoil. The US, which is set to undergo a transition in its presidency, earlier emphasized the importance of democratic norms and the rule of law.

Diplomatic channels remain open, but doubts persist that prolonged political unrest could impact South Korea’s role on the global stage, undermining partnerships that were revived after 12 years, such as the South-Korea-Japan partnership as well as the institutionalization of the South Korea-Japan-US trilateral cooperation.

Public trust in the Democratic Party is waning, with polls indicating diminishing support for the party due to perceived overreach and failure to ensure national stability. As South Korea navigates this turbulent period, the imperative for responsible governance has never been greater.

A concerted focus on upholding constitutional values and ensuring national stability must take precedence over partisan agendas for both the ruling and opposition factions. Key measures such as institutional reforms, transparent judicial processes and a strengthened adherence to democratic principles are vital to regaining public trust in governance.

Although South Korea faces a challenging journey ahead, responsible leadership combined with active public participation can pave the way for a stronger and more resilient nation. The democratic achievements of December should serve as a platform for renewed dedication to governance and accountability rather than descending into prolonged political unrest.

The Constitutional Court’s eventual ruling will be keenly observed not just by South Koreans but also by the international community, as it has the potential to decide Yoon’s political fate and mark a crucial juncture in South Korea’s democratic crossroads.

Tunchinmang Langel

Dr. Tunchinmang Langel is a research fellow at Indian Council of World Affairs. The views expressed here are the writer’s own. -- Ed.