A business leader who recently prepared for a U.S. visit told Munhwa Ilbo on Wednesday, “It seems difficult to find a strategic response from the government amid the impeachment crisis.” He noted that while all government departments had coordinated their diplomatic and trade strategies under the President’s National Security Office immediately after Donald Trump’s election last November, since the start of Trump’s second term in January, both the government and private sectors have shifted to an “every man for himself” approach.
The impeachment crisis has stalled South Korea’s and the U.S.’s summit diplomacy. In the 44 days since Trump’s inauguration, acting president and Deputy Prime Minister Choi Sang Mok has not spoken with Trump.
Choi’s only high-level contact was a video call with U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin on February 28. The significance of this meeting is unclear, as it may have been in Choi’s capacity as Finance Minister rather than Acting President.
Reportedly, Choi has advised his staff not to push for a call, acknowledging the diplomatic constraints during the President’s absence. Professor Min Jeong Hoon of the National Diplomatic Academy explained, “Other countries see little urgency to negotiate with an administration that could change in a few months. Without the domestic political turmoil, we could have proactively shaped policy direction. It is regrettable in many ways.”
Government insiders worry that the presidential office’s paralysis, which typically oversees diplomatic and trade policies, has hindered strategic responses.
While the Ministry of Trade, Industry, and Energy now manages trade issues across departments, and the Foreign Ministry handles diplomatic matters, this piecemeal approach has clear limitations.
Trade Minister Ahn Duk Geun’s recent visit to Washington, where he met with U.S. officials to request tariff exemptions for South Korea, underscores these challenges. An economic official noted, “Issues like non-tariff barriers involve multiple ministries. Our response is fragmented without a central authority to coordinate departments and develop cohesive strategies.”
The president and prime minister’s two-month absence has eroded policy momentum and officials’ sense of authority. The potential for an early election adds to the uncertainty, as a new administration could drastically alter foreign policies, particularly regarding North Korea.
A government official commented, “While the Korea-U.S. alliance may withstand administration changes, North Korea’s policy could shift dramatically. Given the country’s political instability, it’s questionable whether the U.S. can trust our current foreign policy stance.”