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| Korea's National Assembly, 28 September 2022 [Source: Author] |
On December 3, President Yoon declared martial law, with pundits hinting at a return to Korea’s bad old days of military control before it adopted democracy in 1987. The June Uprising forced the military regime to hold elections and introduce democratic reforms. This led to the creation of the Sixth Republic which still exists today.
The simple fact is that Korea’s democracy is not under threat, but working as it should.
Terry Barnes had this to say in the Morning Double Shot newsletter:
Michael de Percy seeks to explain the strange goings-on in South Korea, with the President calling martial law, the parliament voting it down, the President backing down, and the parliament failing to impeach him as it said it would. All we can add is that the president and a few others made some very poor Korea moves.
My latest in The Spectator Australia, What’s happening in Korea?
What’s happening in Korea? | Michael de Percy
— The Spectator Australia (@SpectatorOz) December 7, 2024
Yoon declared martial law to address ‘anti-state activities’. He referred to the opposition as:
‘…shameless pro-North Korean anti-state forces who are plundering the freedom and happiness of our citizens.’https://t.co/0gQUBgTjrc