What’s happening in Korea?

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

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

— The Spectator Australia (@SpectatorOz) December 7, 2024

Merry Christmas and the final episode of Spectator Australia TV for 2024

A Merry Christmas with Donald Trump about to become leader of the Free World (aain)

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In the final episode of Spectator Australia TV for 2024, I discuss the downfall of the French and Korean presidents, the restoration and reopening of Notre Dame, and a Merry Christmas with Donald Trump about to become leader of the free world (again) on ADH TV with Alexandra Marshall.

In the Unfiltered newsletter, Alexandra Marshall had this to say:

It’s interesting… In my last Spectator TV for the year, which will come out in a few hours, I asked each of our guests what the big political win of 2024 was and the answer was unanimous – Trump. The leader of the free world is not purely a military figure keeping an eye on global peace, they are a spiritual leader for the West. America sets the mood and the rest of our governments can either do an awkward dad dance or get with the groove. Albanese and Starmer will probably throw a tantrum and pull the plug out like that scene in Strictly Ballroom where Barry Fife goes for the cord.

My commentary in the final episode for 2024 is available below:

Dear Mr Dutton, we want something else (with love from Barcelona)

Photo: Commonwealth of Australia CC BY 3.0 AU

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From Barcelona: It’s hard to escape Australian politics when I see examples of inaction all over the Iberian Peninsula. The news media would have you believe that the area is a hotbed for socialist Wokeri but the reality is rather different. That same energy that built up in the US and delivered Donald Trump’s electoral knock-out victory is about to avalanche here. It’s in Australia, too, but pundits want to pussyfoot around instead of getting in the bullring.

Alexandra Marshall had this to say in the Unfiltered newsletter:

The chaos of these censorial bills reached as far as Barcelona. Shaking his head in resignation, Michael de Percy writes, ‘The height of stupidity is to be talking about legalising marijuana while banning social media for under sixteens.’

My latest in The Spectator Australia, Dear Mr Dutton, we want something else (with love from Barcelona).

Dear Mr Dutton, we want something else (with love from Barcelona) | Michael de Percy

With Simon Birmingham retiring, the wets are slowly disappearing. With Mr Dutton ignoring the right, the dries are going elsewhere.https://t.co/LAziMYG4D4

— The Spectator Australia (@SpectatorOz) November 30, 2024