Impeachment Procedures: South Korea vs. the U.S. – Why Wasn’t Trump Removed?

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Impeachment Procedures: South Korea vs. the U.S. – Why Wasn’t Trump Removed? 🤔

Recently, public discourse and political tension in South Korea have reignited debates about the possibility of President Yoon Suk-yeol being removed from office. With public protests, rising discontent, and mounting controversies, the term "presidential removal" has once again entered everyday conversation. But what exactly does it take to remove a sitting president? 🧨

For many Koreans, the most memorable precedent is the 2017 removal of former President Park Geun-hye. At that time, the Constitutional Court unanimously ruled in favor of her impeachment, marking the first time in Korean history that a sitting president was removed. In contrast, former U.S. President Donald Trump was impeached twice during his term but remained in office both times.

In this article, we’ll compare the impeachment procedures of South Korea and the United States, explore why Park was removed while Trump was not, and consider how this might apply to President Yoon’s situation today. 🧐

📌 South Korea’s Presidential Removal Process

According to Article 65 of the South Korean Constitution, if the president violates the Constitution or other laws, the National Assembly can pass an impeachment motion. The Constitutional Court then reviews the motion, and if six or more of the nine justices vote in favor, the president is officially removed from office.

In 2016, President Park Geun-hye was impeached following the "Choi Soon-sil gate" scandal. The National Assembly passed the motion, and on March 10, 2017, the Constitutional Court unanimously upheld it. This was the first presidential removal in South Korea's history. ⚖️

📌 How the U.S. Handles Impeachment

In the United States, presidential impeachment is governed by Articles I and II of the Constitution. The House of Representatives has the power to impeach, and the Senate holds the trial. A president can be impeached for "treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors." To remove a president, a majority in the House and a two-thirds majority in the Senate must vote in favor.

President Donald Trump was impeached twice — once in 2019 over the Ukraine scandal and again in 2021 for incitement of insurrection during the Capitol riot. However, the Senate did not reach the required two-thirds majority in either case, and Trump completed his term. 🧾

🔍 Removal vs. Impeachment: A Fundamental Difference

In South Korea, the Constitutional Court plays a crucial role as an independent body that makes the final decision on whether the president should be removed after impeachment by the legislature. In the U.S., that decision rests entirely with the Senate, which often reflects political loyalties rather than judicial neutrality.

✅ Conclusion: Different Systems, Different Outcomes

The contrasting impeachment systems in South Korea and the United States highlight the complex interplay between law, politics, and public sentiment in each country. While both systems aim to hold presidents accountable, their outcomes are shaped by differing balances of power.

In South Korea, the involvement of the Constitutional Court ensures a more judicial approach to impeachment, possibly increasing the chances of a sitting president being removed if constitutional violations are found. In the United States, however, the highly politicized nature of Senate trials can often shield a president from removal, even after serious charges are brought.

As President Yoon's administration faces mounting scrutiny, it remains to be seen whether history will repeat itself—or if Korea’s democratic system will evolve yet again. 🗳️