Stability in ROK crucial for country as well as Northeast Asian region

Impeached Republic of Korea President Yoon Suk-yeol was detained at his residence in Seoul on Wednesday, weeks after investigators first attempted to arrest him for briefly declaring martial law in December.

Investigators entered the residence early on Wednesday in a second attempt to arrest Yoon following an earlier failed attempt after a Seoul court issued an arrest warrant against him on Dec 31 on suspicion of instigating civil unrest and abuse of power.

Extension of the warrant to arrest Yoon was granted on Jan 7. The National Assembly passed an impeachment motion against Yoon on Dec 14, which was delivered to the constitutional court for deliberation for up to 180 days, during which Yoon's presidential power was suspended.

After the failed execution of a martial law on the night of Dec 3, Yoon was named by investigating agencies as the suspected ringleader in a case of insurrection.

Yoon's case and all the political chaos surrounding it are part of complex political developments in the ROK, and whatever the outcome, they will likely reshape the ROK's political landscape, prompting all circles of its society to consider how to create a healthier, more stable political environment.

With the ROK at a critical juncture of economic development and diplomacy, that a sitting president is embroiled in such a serious legal crisis sends the message of the country being politically unstable. That will dampen the confidence of domestic investors while international partners will think twice before investing in the ROK.

Since taking office, the Yoon administration has been implementing a pro-United States and pro-Japan foreign policy while adopting an unfriendly attitude toward China, but China consistently adheres to the principle of noninterference in other countries' internal affairs, and believes the people of the ROK have the wisdom and ability to properly handle their domestic affairs, like Yoon's case.

Northeast Asia has always been an extremely sensitive region, and as a key regional stakeholder, the developing political situation in the ROK will have its impact on the whole region. The ROK is an important neighbor and friendly cooperative partner of China, and China hopes that the situation there stabilizes as soon as possible to promote the sound and steady development of bilateral relations, which serves the common interests of both China and the ROK and also the region as a whole.