Breaking News South Korea Under Martial Law and Its Consequences

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Interview with the commander of the troops that were in the National Assembly
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    • Interview with Brigadier General Lee Sang-hyun, commander of the 1st Airborne Brigade, who was the commander of the troops that were in the National Assembly.
    koreajoongangdaily.joins.com

    'I was shocked': Commander of troops that marched on parliament recounts martial law mayhem

    Brigadier General Lee Sang-hyun, commander of the 1st Airborne Brigade that was deployed to Yeouido, revealed to the JoongAng Ilbo what happened that night, and his utter disbelief at what he was ordered to do.
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    • GooseElite said:
    Interview with Brigadier General Lee Sang-hyun, commander of the 1st Airborne Brigade, who was the commander of the troops that were in the National Assembly.
    koreajoongangdaily.joins.com

    'I was shocked': Commander of troops that marched on parliament recounts martial law mayhem

    Brigadier General Lee Sang-hyun, commander of the 1st Airborne Brigade that was deployed to Yeouido, revealed to the JoongAng Ilbo what happened that night, and his utter disbelief at what he was ordered to do.
    koreajoongangdaily.joins.com
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    This is turning into a Korean-version of a Telenovela: Non-stop chaos.
     
    filipina84 said:
    What's causing all of this craziness? And how will this impact South Korea's reputation on the diplomatic front?
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    It's been brewing for a while. Yoon won the 2022 Presidential elections by a blink-and-you-miss-it margin of only 0.73% of the votes, and even though his party performed well in the 2022 elections, they did not gain a majority of the seats. That was reiterated in 2024 when they once again failed to attain a majority.

    With his already-starting-low popularity declining, the opposition party in a solid position to block his ideas, and even his own party deeply split over several procedural power moves he did to purge members not loyal to himself, Yoon was basically in a "lose-lose" position and tried to resolve it with a self-coup.
     
    President was banned from leaving the country.
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    • Monday, 9 December 2024: ABS-CBN News reporting that ROK President Yoon Suk-yeol has been banned from leaving the Republic of Korea according to the Republic of Korea Justice Ministry, less than a week after the country was plunged into chaos with the brief emergency Martial Law declaration.
     
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    • King Arts said:
    But you have to have the military actually loyal to you not just indifferent or slight support. They have to be loyal enough to live fire into crowds if you order it. All the strength in the world is useless if you aren’t willing or able to use it.
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    Yeah and that still doesn't make what I said wrong, Although its mostly because in countries where coups become a thing the institutions have all already decayed to the point where no one has any faith in them.
     
    Carrot of Truth said:
    Yeah and that still doesn't make what I said wrong, Although its mostly because in countries where coups become a thing the institutions have all already decayed to the point where no one has any faith in them.
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    South Korea was a dictatorship in all but name until 1987, so I'd argue that in this particular case, it's that democratic institutions have not yet become strongly developed and established in the first place rather than decayed.

    Since its founding in 1948, South Korea has gone through six successive formal governments, and although all were called the "Republic of Korea", the current Sixth Republic (1987-present) is the only one which has not been an authoritarian dictatorship and also the only one not established via a military coup.

    (Moreover, the Sixth Republic began with the "election" of the chosen successor from the autocratic Fifth Republic, so it was arguably not truly democratic in its early years. The regime permitted certain reforms in response to mass civil protests, but only because those reforms were relatively empty and because they did not want to violently suppress protests amid international media attention in the lead-up to the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul. It was not until 1998, ten years into the Sixth Republic, that South Korea had a meaningful election resulting in the first peaceful transfer of power in its history.)
     
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    ShadowArxxy said:
    South Korea was a dictatorship in all but name until 1987, so I'd argue that in this particular case, it's that democratic institutions have not yet become strongly developed and established in the first place rather than decayed.

    Since its founding in 1948, South Korea has gone through six successive formal governments, and although all were called the "Republic of Korea", the current Sixth Republic (1987-present) is the only one which has not been an authoritarian dictatorship and also the only one not established via a military coup.

    (Moreover, the Sixth Republic began with the "election" of the chosen successor from the autocratic Fifth Republic, so it was arguably not truly democratic in its early years. The regime permitted certain reforms in response to mass civil protests, but only because those reforms were relatively empty and because they did not want to violently suppress protests amid international media attention in the lead-up to the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul. It was not until 1998, ten years into the Sixth Republic, that South Korea had a meaningful election resulting in the first peaceful transfer of power in its history.)
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    MBC made TV series back in 2005 about the 5th Republic, which was based on Chun Doo-hwan's rise to Cheong Wa Dae (Residence of the Korean President). But the premise actually began with Daddy Park's assassination by the KCIA on October 26th, 1979.
    ​
     
    President Yoon's own political party leader says he supports Yoon's impeachment
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    • Conservative People Power Party (PPP) leader Han Dong-hoon said on Thursday that President Yoon Suk Yeol has no intention of voluntarily stepping down before his official term ends and that he supports Yoon's impeachment.

    During a press conference, Han said, "Suspending Yoon from presidential duty through impeachment is the only way to protect the democratic republic."

    When directly asked if he is in favor of impeachment, Han said, "Yes."
    Source: PPP leader says he supports Yoon's impeachment, urges party to vote
     
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    • GooseElite said:
    Conservative People Power Party (PPP) leader Han Dong-hoon said on Thursday that President Yoon Suk Yeol has no intention of voluntarily stepping down before his official term ends and that he supports Yoon's impeachment.

    During a press conference, Han said, "Suspending Yoon from presidential duty through impeachment is the only way to protect the democratic republic."

    When directly asked if he is in favor of impeachment, Han said, "Yes."
    Source: PPP leader says he supports Yoon's impeachment, urges party to vote
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    More twists to the story.
     
    GooseElite said:
    Conservative People Power Party (PPP) leader Han Dong-hoon said on Thursday that President Yoon Suk Yeol has no intention of voluntarily stepping down before his official term ends and that he supports Yoon's impeachment.

    During a press conference, Han said, "Suspending Yoon from presidential duty through impeachment is the only way to protect the democratic republic."

    When directly asked if he is in favor of impeachment, Han said, "Yes."
    Source: PPP leader says he supports Yoon's impeachment, urges party to vote
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    Just to make sure everyone understands the context here: the Conservative People Power Party is Yoon's own political party, and up until last year Han Dong-hoon was considered not only a key member of the pro-Yoon faction of the PPP, but a personal protege and close advisor of Yoon.
     
    Second impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk Yeol at 4 p.m. Korean time on Saturday
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    • The National Assembly announced Friday that it will vote on the second impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk Yeol at 4 p.m. Korean time on Saturday.
    koreajoongangdaily.joins.com

    Impeachment vote to take place Saturday at 4 p.m. to 'prevent potential clashes'

    The National Assembly announced Friday that it will vote on the second impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk Yeol at 4 p.m. on Saturday, one hour earlier than originally planned.
    koreajoongangdaily.joins.com
     
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    • GooseElite said:
    The National Assembly announced Friday that it will vote on the second impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk Yeol at 4 p.m. Korean time on Saturday.
    koreajoongangdaily.joins.com

    Impeachment vote to take place Saturday at 4 p.m. to 'prevent potential clashes'

    The National Assembly announced Friday that it will vote on the second impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk Yeol at 4 p.m. on Saturday, one hour earlier than originally planned.
    koreajoongangdaily.joins.com
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    Get your notification buttons ready on YouTube folks.
     
    President Yoon Suk Yeol impeached
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    • President Yoon Suk Yeol impeached

    koreajoongangdaily.joins.com

    President Yoon Suk Yeol impeached

    The National Assembly passed a motion to impeach President Yoon Suk Yeol by 204 votes, with 12 apparent defections from his own party.
    koreajoongangdaily.joins.com
    Of the National Assembly's 300 lawmakers, all 300 participated in the vote, with 204 supporting the motion, 85 opposing it, three abstaining and eight votes declared invalid. This marks the third impeachment of a sitting president by the National Assembly in Korean history, following the late President Roh Moo-hyun in 2004 and Park Geun-hye in 2016.
    The impeachment motion is due to be reviewed by the Constitutional Court, where six out of nine justices need to give their approval for the president's removal to be finalized. If his impeachment is upheld, Yoon will become the second Korean president to be removed from office during their term, following Park's ouster in 2017. Roh, in contrast, returned to office after the court rejected the motion.

    President Yoon Suk Yeol speech after impeachment source
    'I will never give up': Yoon addresses the nation


    "Today, as I witnessed the passage of the impeachment motion in the National Assembly, I was reminded of June 29, 2021, when I first declared my participation in politics.


    At that time, the freedom, democracy and rule of law in this country were in ruins. The despair of small business owners and the frustration of young people filled the nation.


    Carrying that intense national aspiration, I plunged into politics. Since then, I have never stopped working and have put all my energy into it.


    When I became president and met the people, I saw that small business owners and self-employed people were screaming due to the previous government's policies, and young people and ordinary citizens were groaning from the burden of real estate loans.


    But when I calmly listened to their difficult circumstances and slowly worked to solve their problems, I felt a happiness greater than anything else.


    As exports revived and the economy regained vitality, I felt a surge of energy as warmth began to spread.


    I restored the collapsed nuclear power ecosystem and even achieved nuclear exports.


    The four major reforms, which were crucial for the future but had been avoided by previous governments for fear of losing elections, I pushed forward with desperate determination.


    When the policies I was pushing for the people were thwarted, I was frustrated and couldn't sleep at night.


    I worked tirelessly day and night to restore the trilateral cooperation with the U.S. and Japan, and to expand the horizons of global diplomacy.


    When I donned the title of Korea's first salesperson and traveled the world achieving results, I felt an immense sense of accomplishment that words cannot explain.


    As Korea's international standing rose and our security and economy grew stronger, I forgot my fatigue.


    Now, after a difficult yet happy and rewarding journey, I am temporarily pausing.


    I feel frustrated thinking that all my efforts might have been in vain.


    Though I am pausing for now, the journey towards the future that I have walked with the people over the past two and a half years must never stop.


    I will never give up.


    I will carry the criticism, encouragement, and support directed at me in my heart and will continue to do my best for the country until the very last moment.


    To all public officials, these are difficult and challenging times, but I urge you to stand firm in your positions and carry out your duties without wavering.


    Centered around the acting President, I ask that you all join forces and do your utmost to protect the safety and happiness of the people.


    And to the political community, I ask that you focus on improving the political culture and systems so that we can shift from a politics of reckless competition and confrontation to one of deliberation and consideration.


    Dear fellow citizens, I believe in the strength of our people.


    Let us all unite for the freedom, democracy, and prosperity of the Republic of Korea.


    Thank you."
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