South Korea Under Martial Law
Breaking News
CNN (“South Korea president declares emergency martial law“):
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law in an unannounced late-night TV address Tuesday, accusing the country’s main opposition party of sympathizing with North Korea and of anti-state activities.
Yoon did not say what specific measures would be taken. He cited a motion by the opposition Democratic Party, which has a majority in parliament, to impeach top prosecutors and reject a government budget proposal.
Yoon labeled the opposition’s actions as “clear anti-state behavior aimed at inciting rebellion.” He further claimed these acts have “paralyzed state affairs and turned the National Assembly into a den of criminals.”
He describing martial law as a necessary measure to eradicate these “shameless pro-North anti-state forces.” He justified the decision as essential to protect the freedoms and safety of the people, ensure the country’s sustainability, and pass on a stable nation to future generations.
The parliament speaker is traveling to parliament and plans to convene a session, according to local broadcaster YTN TV. Yonhap news agency reported though that the entrance to parliament is blocked and lawmakers are unable to enter.
Yoon accused the opposition of turning the nation into a “drug haven” and creating a state of disorder detrimental to public safety and livelihood. He also said the Democratic Party was attempting to overthrow the liberal democratic system, declaring, “The National Assembly has become a monster undermining liberal democracy, and the nation is in a precarious state, teetering on the edge of collapse.”
He assured the public, “We will eliminate the anti-state forces and restore the country to normalcy as quickly as possible.” While acknowledging that martial law might cause some inconvenience, he promised efforts to minimize its impact on the public.
NYT is live-blogging events there. Of note:
In a livestream on Tuesday night, Lee Jae-myung, the South Korean opposition leader, asked citizens to congregate at the National Assembly while on his way there himself. “There is no reason to declare martial law. We cannot let the military rule this country,” he said. “President Yoon Seok Yeol has betrayed the people. President Yoon’s illegal declaration of emergency martial law is null and void. From this moment on, Mr. Yoon is no longer the president of South Korea.”
and:
Police officers are clashing with protesters outside the National Assembly, some of whom appear to be trying to enter the building as officers try to block them, live television footage shows. “End martial law! End martial law!” protesters are shouting repeatedly.
I must confess I did not see this coming.
This a surprise. South Korea has been a stable democracy for decades, albeit with a prior history of authoritarian rule.
Gee, you think it might have something to do with South Korean opposition members who are pro-NK being emboldened by Kim’s good friend Trump getting elected and seeing themselves as joining the winning side of history? Maybe?
Sounds to me like what happened in Peru this year. Kind of a self-coup to take out the opposition.
Trump is taking notes.
@Steven L. Taylor: Exactly. I did not have this on my BINGO card. I typically pay attention to the more northern of the Koreas.
@James Joyner:
Look for Trump to declare his support.
I’d like to know how the chaebol are involved.
@JKGirl:
1) WTF are you talking about? In plain English please, and with specifics, not in cult-speak.
2) Where did I or anyone say this coup was Trump’s fault? I said he was taking notes.
Bluesky thread on topic:
https://bsky.app/profile/kfriedhoff.bsky.social/post/3lcfswksfa22a
ETA:
https://bsky.app/profile/kfriedhoff.bsky.social/post/3lcfvocms4k2a
https://www.blueroofpolitics.com/post/breaking-2/
@Michael Reynolds: JKGirl is RyGuy and has been banned.
@Jen:
Ah. Thanks.
I prefer ‘disemvoweling’ posts but YMMV.
The undesired dish is served up..
“OK, who the heck ordered THIS?”
Latest:
South Korea’s president lifts martial law in the face of united opposition
At least it looks like he’s not going rogue, as opposed to perhaps a bit nuts.
Seems his cabinet argued he must accept the parliamentary vote.
Let’s hope that ends the crisis peacefully.
South Korean politics is, I admit, a total void in my knowledge.
Hopefully someone here has some clue whats up.
iirc isn’t Cracker familiar with matters Korean?
@JohnSF: Yes some. But I never saw nothing like this. I made a longer comment in response to Luddite on another thread.