The night of December 3 was scary for South Koreans, to say the least. The world's 12th largest economy, which has also been a vibrant democracy in recent decades, was plunged into a shocking crisis. In a baffling move, President Yoon Suk-yeol announced emergency martial law in the dead of the night—the first in the country in over four decades—and sent troops to the National Assembly.
Fortunately, enough numbers of lawmakers were able to reach parliament and vote out the martial law in only six hours. Whereas Yoon justified his act as just a warning to the opposition members who were blocking his policies and appointments and generally making governance difficult, there is no doubt that he crossed all the limits.
It may be true that after the opposition secured 192 of the 300 seats in the National Assembly in April 2024, Yoon was feeling frustrated because he was not able to get several of his bills passed. But the extreme step he took is largely attributed to his own autocratic way of dealing with democratic contestations.
Yoon was a prosecutor before he got an opportunity to become a presidential candidate from the conservative People's Power Party in 2022. His inexperience in democratic politics—which is a domain of give-and-take, compromises and, more importantly, tolerance for dissent—led him to become increasingly unpopular in South Korea. Rather than rectifying his mistakes, he tried to run over dissent.
In foreign and domestic policy-making too, it has been alleged that he did not take along popular opinion and has been too ‘bold’ in his alignment with the West.
The declaration of martial law was, basically, a move in desperation and delusion. It not only shocked South Koreans, but also enraged them. Soon, people took over the streets and the National Assembly proposed an impeachment motion.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der December 20, 2024-Ausgabe von The New Indian Express Sambalpur.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent ? Anmelden
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der December 20, 2024-Ausgabe von The New Indian Express Sambalpur.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
Bereits Abonnent? Anmelden
I Know How to Play Real Characters
Jennifer Lopez speaks to Katie Ellis on how Unstoppable made her realise that she can overcome anything in life
Of Our Non-violent Ancestors
Pattanaik provides a comprehensive insight into the mysterious world of the Harappan civilisation
The Corrosive Power of Pride
Pride fosters a sense of superiority that harms relationships, distorts the mind, and impedes personal and spiritual growth
Market on the Sands
The Rathgama Wella Fish Market
Stop Inane and Diversionary Debates, and Focus on What Really Matters
Acute Angle
Stepping Across the Worry Lines
The Raghu Dixit Project launches a new album Shakkar as a vernacular statement about India and diversity
Every Woman's Brushstrokes
A beautiful blue and pink-hued sky surrounded by lush greenery. Within this is a tree with specks of orange and yellow, besides which is a bed where a woman is sleeping her flowing tresses falling into the foliage.
Untangled Threads He Weaves
An embroiderer who grew up poor is a celebrity in demand with collectors and artists
Untangled Threads He Weaves
An embroiderer who grew up poor is a celebrity in demand with collectors and artists
The Impeachment Notice Against Allahabad High Court Judge Shekhar Kumar Yadav
Allahabad High Court Judge Shekhar Kumar Yadav is facing impeachment proceedings for allegedly engaging in hate speech and incitement to communal disharmony, violating the Constitution of India.
