South Korea’s Presidential Crisis: Is Democracy Stuck in Park?

The South Korean court’s unanimous decision to remove President Park Geun Hye from office will prompt a new election within 60 days. With the ruling conservative party fractured by the scandal, liberal candidate Moon Jae-in is the current front runner. A win by the liberal party, which supports constructive dialogue with North Korea, could have implications for the nature of the U.S.-South Korea security relationship. As the next chapter of South Korea’s young democracy unfolds, The Cipher Brief revisits the events that brought the country to this crossroads.

In the latest turn of events connected to the impeachment of South Korean President Park Geun Hye, investigators sought a warrant for the arrest of Samsung Vice President Lee Jae-yong. On Thursday, the court denied the warrant, citing insufficient reason for the arrest. Though Lee will go free, the incident highlights South Korean concerns over the close relationship between the government and the country’s largest companies.