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[Merged] South Korea President Declares Martial Law/Martial law in South Korea

ponderingturtle

Orthogonal Vector
ponderingturtle
Joined
Jul 11, 2006
Messages
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"Yoon declared the "emergency martial law," accusing the opposition of sympathizing with North Korea. He said the measure was "to safeguard a liberal South Korea from the threats posed by North Korea's communist forces.""

Link
 
When I saw the headline, I feared a military escalation on the behalf of North Korea, but it looks more like a way to stay in power than deal with an external threat.
 
Being almost completely ignorant of the situation but...

... What could an unabashedly pro North Korean government actually do?
 
I hate to bring the T-man into a non-USA thread, but I have no doubt that he's going to see this and put it on his To-Do list, for whatever reason.
 
alfaniner said:
I hate to bring the T-man into a non-USA thread, but I have no doubt that he's going to see this and put it on his To-Do list, for whatever reason.
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He already has said he is going to do that on day one, why question him?
 
Was there anything other than he doesn't like the opposition that instigated this? I mean, mass protests, riots, or something? The article doesn't say there was which makes me think there wasn't. Which makes me hope they have some sort of impeachment process.

Seriously seems like he declared martial law because they wouldn't pass his budget.
 
They impeached a president for corruption back in like 2018. It looks like they were gearing up to impeach a bunch of judges and prosecutors, who were all allies of the president.

As I understand it, South Korea has a bad habit of electing business people president and then being shocked at the corruption.
 
Donal said:
They impeached a president for corruption back in like 2018. It looks like they were gearing up to impeach a bunch of judges and prosecutors, who were all allies of the president.

As I understand it, South Korea has a bad habit of electing business people president and then being shocked at the corruption.
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What choice to they have ? All South Koreans are business people.
 
The President of South Korea has apparently declared martial law. In response, Parliament voted unanimously to end martial law.


I'm not particularly in the know about South Korean politics, but my limited understanding is that the president and his wife were under investigation for corruption, which routinely brings down South Korean politicians, and he's doing this to try to halt the investigations. The unanimity of opposition in parliament, including by his own party, is strong evidence that his stated reason (to stop North Korean sympathizers) is bull ◊◊◊◊.
 
From what I hear from my S Korean contacts, Yoon is a hard right-winger and is using the usual 'label anyone on the left a communist' tactic. From what I understand he will likely be gone within a week...will see!
 
Apparently he's already announced that he's pulling back the order. Just happened about half an hour ago...

I've been looking at stories about this and I feel like there's some serious backstory that I'm missing. Is there anything that's been going on recently that helps this make more sense (even if the logic is twisted)? Otherwise, it sounds like the dude has just lost his mind and needs to seek professional help. Us Americans would not be the slightest bit familiar with such a person in high office...
 
ahhell said:
Not directed at me but based on the reporting, it really kind of seems like he did it because they wouldn't give him the budget he wanted, which seems crazy.
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Well there seem to be issues of investigating his wife and other with independent investigators.
 
Why is he saying he's going to lift it, why not just lift it? Martial law declarations need to happen during working hours now?
 
ponderingturtle said:
Well there seem to be issues of investigating his wife and other with independent investigators.
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See, that doesn't seem crazy but none of the articles I've read or news podcasts I've heard have mentioned that. Lots of mentions about the budget or like this article from MSN, he struggled to get legislation passed. Please note, not crazy doesn't mean not terrible, it just is more understandable as a motive.

 
ahhell said:
See, that doesn't seem crazy but none of the articles I've read or news podcasts I've heard have mentioned that. Lots of mentions about the budget or like this article from MSN, he struggled to get legislation passed. Please note, not crazy doesn't mean not terrible, it just is more understandable as a motive.

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"Meanwhile, the president has also been dismissing calls for independent investigations into scandals involving his wife and top officials, attracting stinging rebukes from his political rivals."

From

https://www.dw.com/en/south-korea-ends-martial-law-after-lawmakers-vote-it-down/a-70947817
 
ponderingturtle said:
"Meanwhile, the president has also been dismissing calls for independent investigations into scandals involving his wife and top officials, attracting stinging rebukes from his political rivals."

From

https://www.dw.com/en/south-korea-ends-martial-law-after-lawmakers-vote-it-down/a-70947817
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I believed you, mostly because it makes more sense than frustration over not getting legislation passed. Even then, the article you linked kind of downplays the connection, or rather just mentions it on the side. Curious reporting on the matter.

Its nice to see that even his own party voted against him, wish that would happen in some other countries, or maybe just one.
 
I feel sure a few other world leaders are looking at this with interest. "Should I try announcing Martial Law and announce parliament is closed...? Hmmmm" <rubs chin>

So now there's a proposed VONC against Yoon. If that succeeds, it'll be interesting to see if he goes quietly. Of course he won't; they'd have to arrest him.

With US interests in the area (28,000 US troops on the North Korea border), these could be very interesting times.
 
Dr.Sid said:
Please, Trump doesn't have a patent on being stupid.
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Sure he does, in fact he is selling stupidity online for $99.95 with a free trump bible to boot.

And as I said earlier, looks like Yoon will be gone within the week...
 
I'm guessing that he thought he had more support than he did for a coup. "The mob outside," he asked, "are they shouting 'Boo' or 'Boo-urns'?" It's never "Boo-urns".
 
Olmstead said:
It seems his own party unanimously opposed his actions, which is part of the reason it backfired.

So, you know, food for thought ...
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Also, he waited until his approval ratings were already in the toilet (like 10%) before attempting this. He didn't seem to be acting from a position of strength. Still, it's kind of alarming that the military apparently went along with this until Yoon himself backtracked and rescinded the order.
Under South Korea’s constitution, the parliamentary vote to lift martial law has to be respected.

Military officials initially said that despite the vote, martial law would remain in place until Yoon himself lifted it.
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That is concerning because it suggests that the military was prepared to continue to follow orders from the president rather than parliament. I think South Korea will need to clarify their laws and perhaps their constitution to prevent something like this from happening again.
 
Puppycow said:
Also, he waited until his approval ratings were already in the toilet (like 10%) before attempting this. He didn't seem to be acting from a position of strength. Still, it's kind of alarming that the military apparently went along with this until Yoon himself backtracked and rescinded the order.

That is concerning because it suggests that the military was prepared to continue to follow orders from the president rather than parliament. I think South Korea will need to clarify their laws and perhaps their constitution to prevent something like this from happening again.
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I am hearing that the rank-and-file military wasn't too keen on following these orders.
 
I Am The Scum said:
Apparently he's already announced that he's pulling back the order. Just happened about half an hour ago...

I've been looking at stories about this and I feel like there's some serious backstory that I'm missing. Is there anything that's been going on recently that helps this make more sense (even if the logic is twisted)? Otherwise, it sounds like the dude has just lost his mind and needs to seek professional help. Us Americans would not be the slightest bit familiar with such a person in high office...
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I believe prosecutors are closing on his wife, career criminal Kim Keon-hee for crimes he can't protect her from.
 
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