Trump’s Path Resembles South Korean Ousted President
Donald Trump’s recent policy decisions are steering him down a perilous path, one uncannily reminiscent of the abrupt downfall of South Korea’s former president, Yoon Suk Yeol. Both leaders rose swiftly to power by tapping into populist sentiments and presenting themselves as uncompromising outsiders unafraid to disrupt established political norms. Yet, it is precisely this inflexible stance and aggressive approach to executive authority that paved the road to disaster for Yoon and may well lead Trump toward a similar fate.
Yoon Suk Yeol, a former prosecutor renowned for his relentless investigations and confrontational style, entered politics in 2021 and quickly ascended to South Korea’s presidency by 2022. He gained widespread popularity through a carefully cultivated image as a fearless anti-corruption crusader who stood firm against political elites. However, once in office, Yoon struggled dramatically in governing a polarized nation, where collaboration and compromise are often prerequisites for effective leadership. The tipping point in Yoon’s presidency came when, frustrated by constant legislative obstruction and driven by mounting personal and political scandals, he took the extraordinary—and legally dubious—step of declaring martial law. Instead of solidifying his authority, Yoon’s martial law decree was rapidly overturned by the legislature and led directly to his impeachment. The Constitutional Court, in a unanimous and unequivocal rebuke on April 4, declared his actions unconstitutional, ultimately resulting in his removal from office and subsequent indictment on rebellion charges—a crime that can carry life imprisonment.
Across the Pacific, Donald Trump appears to be following a similar trajectory. After reclaiming power by tapping into the frustration and fear of millions of voters, Trump has increasingly resorted to unilateral, authoritarian-style executive measures that echo Yoon’s own disastrous approach. Like Yoon, Trump has consistently portrayed himself as the sole legitimate representative of the “true” American interests, frequently dismissing legislative and judicial scrutiny as illegitimate, partisan attacks aimed at undermining his presidency. This rhetoric sets the stage for confrontations that risk exceeding constitutional limits.
On April 2, 2025, Trump announced a 10% universal tariff on all imported goods, with higher rates targeting specific countries, including China and members of the European Union. Economists warn that these tariffs could exacerbate inflation, potentially pushing it above 4%, and increase the likelihood of a recession. The stock market reacted negatively, with the Dow Jones Industrial Average plummeting nearly 1,700 points, erasing approximately $3.1 trillion in market value. Such economic turmoil mirrors the instability experienced in South Korea following Yoon’s martial law declaration, which disrupted the economy and eroded public trust.
In addition to economic policies, Trump’s executive orders have faced significant legal challenges. Nineteen states have filed lawsuits against an executive order mandating proof of citizenship for voter registration, arguing that it imposes an unlawful burden on voters and conflicts with federal law. Voting rights groups, including the ACLU, contend that this order could disenfranchise millions of eligible voters, particularly among marginalized communities. This situation is reminiscent of Yoon’s attempts to suppress opposition through martial law, which were met with legal rebukes and ultimately led to his impeachment.
Trump’s attempt to overhaul U.S. electoral procedures through a sweeping executive order mandating proof of citizenship for voter registration has sparked lawsuits from numerous states and powerful advocacy groups. These critics argue convincingly that the order represents a clear constitutional infringement upon states’ rights and voter protections, creating conditions that could disenfranchise millions. The legal pushback has already stalled Trump’s ambitions, highlighting the vulnerability of aggressive executive action when it runs afoul of established constitutional boundaries.
Simultaneously, Trump’s invocation of the Alien Enemies Act—historically reserved for wartime scenarios—to swiftly deport undocumented immigrants has drawn widespread legal and ethical condemnation. The federal courts’ repeated rebukes and injunctions against this order underscore how Trump’s confrontational approach invites powerful judicial resistance, creating a legal quagmire reminiscent of Yoon’s final days in office. The courts’ unwavering stance suggests Trump may soon face even sterner checks on his executive power, potentially leading to contempt proceedings and further undermining his administration’s credibility and effectiveness.
Public opinion reflects growing dissatisfaction with Trump’s recent actions. A Reuters/Ipsos poll indicates that only 30% of Americans approve of his handling of the cost of living, highlighting widespread concern about rising prices due to tariffs. Similarly, Yoon’s approval ratings plummeted to 13% following his martial law declaration, underscoring the political risks of unilateral executive actions that negatively impact citizens’ daily lives.
The parallels between Yoon’s downfall and Trump’s current trajectory suggest that overstepping constitutional boundaries and neglecting the checks and balances inherent in democratic systems can lead to significant political and legal repercussions. Yoon’s attempt to consolidate power through martial law resulted in his removal from office and criminal charges for inciting insurrection . Trump’s aggressive policy decisions, particularly those circumventing legislative and judicial oversight, risk similar outcomes, including legal challenges, declining public support, and potential impeachment proceedings. Failure to heed these lessons may result in political consequences akin to those faced by Yoon, emphasizing the importance of balanced and collaborative governance.
Key Take-Away
Trump’s aggressive, unilateral actions mirror Yoon Suk Yeol’s failed leadership, risking legal backlash, economic fallout, and potential impeachment if democratic checks are ignored. Share on XImage credit: Airam Dato-on/pexels
Dr. Gleb Tsipursky was lauded as “Office Whisperer” and “Hybrid Expert” by The New York Times for helping leaders use hybrid work to improve retention and productivity while cutting costs. He serves as the CEO of the boutique future-of-work consultancy Disaster Avoidance Experts. Dr. Gleb wrote the first book on returning to the office and leading hybrid teams after the pandemic, his best-seller Returning to the Office and Leading Hybrid and Remote Teams: A Manual on Benchmarking to Best Practices for Competitive Advantage (Intentional Insights, 2021). He authored seven books in total, and is best know for his global bestseller, Never Go With Your Gut: How Pioneering Leaders Make the Best Decisions and Avoid Business Disasters (Career Press, 2019). His cutting-edge thought leadership was featured in over 650 articles and 550 interviews in Harvard Business Review, Forbes, Inc. Magazine, USA Today, CBS News, Fox News, Time, Business Insider, Fortune, and elsewhere. His writing was translated into Chinese, Korean, German, Russian, Polish, Spanish, French, and other languages. His expertise comes from over 20 years of consulting, coaching, and speaking and training for Fortune 500 companies from Aflac to Xerox. It also comes from over 15 years in academia as a behavioral scientist, with 8 years as a lecturer at UNC-Chapel Hill and 7 years as a professor at Ohio State. A proud Ukrainian American, Dr. Gleb lives in Columbus, Ohio. In his free time, he makes sure to spend abundant quality time with his wife to avoid his personal life turning into a disaster. Contact him at Gleb[at]DisasterAvoidanceExperts[dot]com, follow him on LinkedIn @dr-gleb-tsipursky, Twitter @gleb_tsipursky, Instagram @dr_gleb_tsipursky, Facebook @DrGlebTsipursky, Medium @dr_gleb_tsipursky, YouTube, and RSS, and get a free copy of the Assessment on Dangerous Judgment Errors in the Workplace by signing up for the free Wise Decision Maker Course at https://disasteravoidanceexperts.com/newsletter/.