Party warfare threatens political impasse in Seoul

Significance

The day before, by one vote, the National Assembly rejected an unprecedented attempt by prosecutors to arrest the leader of the main opposition party, Lee Jae-myung, over corruption allegations. The Supreme Prosecutors’ Office will probably now indict Lee without detention, as it has done with the other four. Alternatively, it could seek a new arrest warrant on fresh charges.

Impacts

• Lee may well be challenged for the party leadership soon, but opposition lawmakers will not easily be split over major policy issues.
• President Yoon's unpopularity makes his party unlikely to win the next parliamentary election, due in April next year.
• Politicising past inter-Korean dealings will only confirm Pyongyang's (correct) view that Yoon has no real interest in better relations.