South Korea Martial Law History Of Military Rule In The Countr
BloombergDEC 2024
South Korea: Pres. Yoon Faces Impeachment After Failed Martial Law
Above: Members and supporters of South Korean opposition parties gather in front of the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024. Image copyright: Tina Hsu/Contributor/Bloomberg via Getty Images
The Spin
Narrative A
Yoon has betrayed democratic principles and exposed his disregard for the Constitution. Justifying military intervention against political opposition, his misuse of authority was a clear power grab. Thankfully, the National Assembly's swift action and the military's adherence to democracy prevented a crisis. Yoon has become an anti-state actor and must be held accountable for his illegal actions.
Narrative B
While Yoon is primarily to blame for this dangerous overstep, the Democratic Party is also partly responsible for such an outcome. The opposition camp has misused its majority to threaten governance and public trust alike with impeachment motions against cabinet officials and budget cuts to undermine state operations. Democratic institutions in South Korea proved their resilience and maturity, now it's time to move the nation forward.