South Korea, an Asian industrial giant known for its efficiency, this month provided a political drama of unbelievable blundering even as its president exhibited a surreal disregard for constitutional propriety. On 3 December, embattled president Yoon Suk Yeol, who was impeached Saturday, declared martial law. But in a comedy of fortunate errors, transport helicopters for special army troops were delayed by 40 minutes because they did not have clearance from the air force to enter a no-fly zone near parliament. In that time, lawmakers repealed Yoon's declaration of martial law. Huge crowds appeared outside parliament to protest against martial law, forcing Yoon to withdraw the order hours later.
Prime Minister Han Duck Soo has stepped in to act as interim leader while a court decides on the validity of Yoon's impeachment for his attempt to impose martial law. Yoon's tenure since 2022 had been characterized by Gangnam-style clumsiness and ineptitude. Even so, lessons loom large for several reasons. Across the world, growth is slowing. Korea posted 0.1% quarter-on-quarter GDP growth for the third quarter, just as Germany did this week, with the German Bundesbank slashing forecasts. This is bad news for an incumbent government anywhere, as Olaf Scholz's coalition, which lost a confidence vote this week, in Germany is likely to learn when early elections are held in February.
Denne historien er fra December 19, 2024-utgaven av Mint Ahmedabad.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra December 19, 2024-utgaven av Mint Ahmedabad.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Cricket stories that read like tales told in a pub
Glenn Maxwell's book, 'The Showman', with Adam Collins, is chaotic, flashy and straightforward but not necessarily engaging
Include pantos on your holiday to-do list
If holiday travels take you to Britain, indulge in vibrance of the pantomime
A new play weaves a story of love, longing and deceit
A new play by Amitesh Grover speaks of grief through the story of a woman who can make clay figurines come alive
Can the Xi-Trump 'bromance' be revived? Else, ties may fray
Cordiality between the two leaders would favour both countries
An image makeover for palm oil would be good for us
The ecological impact of this affordable oil is lower and health benefits greater than often portrayed
Refrain from judicial overreach: It'll strengthen India's judiciary
The suo motu powers of courts are essential to secure justice and the public interest but their overuse can have adverse results
Services led exports are a mixed blessing for us
Even as we celebrate India's emergence as a services-led economy, with our service exports strong and their prospects bright amid rising trade flux, we must look beyond the numbers
South Korea's political drama was worthy of applause
Its lawmakers were bravely joined by others to reject martial law and uphold democratic institutions
Market losses and mistakes are two completely different things
A loss needn't be a mistake. What matters is whether the process of taking the decision was right
THE ROAD TO BETTER WEALTH MANAGEMENT STARTS WITH A CONSOLIDATED VIEW
Today's speed of digital spending and investing could lead to unthoughtful, costly mistakes
