Official media mention 'life sentence or death penalty' immediately after the impeachment… Expectations for the recovery of Korea-China relations

China has shown signs of pleasure regarding the impeachment of former President Yoon Suk-yeol, who had a notably strained relationship with them.

The immediate response to former President Yoon's impeachment reveals expectations for a shift in the diplomatic direction of the next government.

While the Chinese authorities remained cautious in their statements, state-run media, which effectively serve as the voice of the Chinese government, have issued analyses that take into account the potential for a regime change.

Shortly after the Constitutional Court's ruling on impeachment on the 4th, major Chinese media outlets such as Xinhua News Agency and Global Times reported on the developments as breaking news. Xinhua, just 15 minutes after the ruling, published an analysis article discussing the possibility of criminal charges against former President Yoon for insurrection, along with insights into the upcoming presidential election dynamics.

Notably, they drew attention by stating that Yoon could face "life imprisonment or even the death penalty" once he stands in court as an ordinary citizen.

They also specifically mentioned Lee Jae-myung. State media cited South Korean public opinion polls calling for a regime change, identifying the leader of the main opposition party, Lee Jae-myung, as a prominent candidate for the next presidential election.

At the same time, they added that "there is a possibility that the diplomatic direction, which has tilted towards the U.S. and Japan under the Yoon Suk-yeol government, may change."

"Korea has an opportunity for diplomatic normalization"… Comments from Chinese scholars follow

Chinese experts also assessed that former President Yoon's impeachment could serve as a turning point in diplomacy. Xiang Haoyu, a visiting researcher at the China Institute of International Studies, stated, "Faced with internal and external difficulties, Korea could establish a new government within the next two months and return its domestic and foreign policies to the normal track."

The interest among the Chinese public regarding this issue has also been significant. The topic "Yoon Suk-yeol's impeachment and loss of the presidency" topped the real-time search rankings of China's largest portal, while "Korea to hold a presidential election within 60 days" came in second. Coincidentally, as the Qingming Festival holiday commenced in China, news of former President Yoon's impeachment dominated discussions on the first day of the holiday.

There has yet to be an official diplomatic response. The Chinese Foreign Ministry has maintained a cautious stance, citing the principle of non-interference in domestic affairs, but there are many who observe the possibility of a thaw in Korea-China relations that had frozen during the 'Yoon Suk-yeol era'.

Image sources: Former President Yoon Suk-yeol / News1, Lee Jae-myung, Leader of the Democratic Party / News1, YTN