Court Rejects S. Korean President's Impeachment

South Korea's Constitutional Court on Friday restored President Roh Moo Hyun to power, striking down an impeachment widely viewed as an attempt by opponents to halt his political agenda, which includes rapprochement with North Korea.

In a decision broadcast on national television, the court rejected impeachment charges of incompetence and mismanagement. The court president, Yun Young Chul, said a charge of illegal electioneering "was not serious or grave enough to justify the unseating of the president."

Roh's impeachment on March 12 -- the first ever of a South Korean president -- was marked by brawls in the National Assembly and candlelight vigils and rallies in support of Roh by student groups. Roh had been stripped of his constitutional powers pending the court's decision, leaving Prime Minister Goh Kun to serve as acting president.

"We accept the ruling of the Constitutional Court with a humble heart in front of the people and history," presidential spokesman Yoon Tae Young said.



The verdict, effective immediately, completes a reversal of fortune for Roh, whose impeachment actually rejuvenated his political standing through a massive public backlash against his ouster. Roh's return to power will leave the president and his allies in control of both the executive and legislative branches of South Korea's government. It marks the first time since the Korean War that political groups regarded as progressive -- favoring a focus on social programs, improved relations with North Korea and more independence from the United States -- have held such power.

With unprecedented authority to move forward with his agenda, Roh will immediately face a difficult balancing act: how to forge closer ties with North Korea, a policy supported by a majority of South Koreans, particularly the young, while trying not to alienate Seoul's main ally, the United States.

South Korea is pursuing broad dialogue with North Korea, including high-level military talks scheduled for May 26, even as international negotiations aimed at resolving the North Korean government's nuclear ambitions have bogged down. The stalemate is based, at least in part, on sharp disagreement between the Bush administration and the government of Kim Jong Il over how to dismantle the North Korean nuclear weapons program.

At the same time, the Uri Party, which supports Roh, advocates changes in the relationship with the United States. The party won control of the National Assembly in April 15 legislative elections, largely because of voter fury against the impeachment. Many party members are pressing for a review of South Korea's pledge last year to send 3,600 troops to Iraq, something the government has repeatedly delayed.

Top officials in Roh's government insist the president will remain firmly committed to the U.S. alliance.