It’s Time for Yoon to Step Down — and for Impeachment to Begin

South Korea is no stranger to political scandal, but the saga surrounding President Yoon Suk-yeol and First Lady Kim Keon-hee has reached an unprecedented crescendo of distrust, discontent, and dysfunction. With approval ratings plummeting below 20% and corruption allegations piling up against the president and his wife, the nation finds itself at a critical crossroads. For the sake of South Korea’s democracy, stability, and international reputation, it’s time for Yoon to step down — or face impeachment.

The so-called “Kim Keon-hee risk” is no longer just a personal scandal; it is a national crisis. The first lady’s alleged misconduct, from stock manipulation to receiving luxury bribes, has eroded public confidence in Yoon’s administration. Most damning is the president’s refusal to allow formal investigations, vetoing a bill that sought to appoint a special counsel despite overwhelming public demand. These actions have cast serious doubt on his commitment to the rule of law, one of the foundational values he claims to champion.

A Presidency Defined by Hypocrisy

When Yoon took office in 2022, he presented himself as a crusader for justice, a former prosecutor who would root out corruption. But his handling of the scandals involving his wife betrays his stated principles. While Yoon pursued aggressive investigations against political opponents, his administration has stonewalled inquiries into allegations against Kim.