- 7 presidents since 1948 faced removal, assassination, or criminal charges
- Constitutional Court upheld impeachments for Park (2017) and Yoon (2024)
- Systemic corruption and power struggles drive recurring political crises
The removal of Yoon Suk Yeol marks South Korea’s latest chapter in a 76-year pattern of presidential turmoil. Three years into his term, Yoon’s attempt to impose martial law triggered legislative backlash and a unanimous impeachment ruling. Analysts note this mirrors past authoritarian overreaches, including Chun Doo-hwan’s 1979 coup and Park Chung-hee’s 18-year dictatorship.
Historical parallels reveal structural vulnerabilities. The nation’s rapid industrialization under Park Chung-hee (1961-1979) created an economy dominated by conglomerates (chaebols) that later funded political bribes. Hyundai’s $400M payment before the 2000 inter-Korean summit exemplifies this toxic symbiosis. Unlike Japan’s stable Liberal Democratic Party system, South Korea’s presidency combines imperial authority with weak checks on executive power.
Public accountability movements repeatedly clash with entrenched interests. The 1960 April Revolution toppled Syngman Rhee’s rigged regime, while 1987’s June Democracy Uprising forced constitutional reforms. However, recycled scandals persist – 80% of living ex-presidents face convictions, including Lee Myung-bak’s 17-year bribery sentence. Recent Gallup polling shows 63% of citizens distrust political institutions.
Legal mechanisms struggle to break the cycle. The Constitutional Court’s 2024 Yoon ruling cited Article 65’s “grave violation of constitutional order.” Yet pardons remain common, with Moon Jae-in freeing Park Geun-hye and Yoon absolving Lee. Experts propose German-style parliamentary systems or U.S.-inspired independent counsels to reduce presidency-related corruption.
