Posted originally on Dec 4, 2024 by Martin Armstrong
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared an “emergency martial law” on Tuesday without providing clear reasoning. Sources say that Yoon fears impeachment from the opposition party and this declaration is merely a way for him to buy time. “To safeguard a liberal South Korea from the threats posed by North Korea’s communist forces and to eliminate anti-state elements… I hereby declare emergency martial law,” Yoon announced. Parliament overturned the measure within three hours.
What happened was absolute pandemonium. One member of Parliament live-streamed himself climbing over the gates of parliament with the military behind him to cast his vote. Every member of parliament voted against the president’s actions, but Yoon is not going down without a fight. The police and military did not know how to respond after parliament overturned the measure. Parliament was forced to barricade themselves in the building until martial law was lifted. World leaders, the US in particular, frantically contacted Seoul to say they had no warning. Naturally, Korean stocks took a dive as confidence was violently shaken. Yoon was worried about impeachment before this spectacle, but how could he remain in power now?
Martial law would have prevented an immediate impeachment, or at least that is what Yoon had hoped. Under martial law, the National Assembly is severely limited, and it would be difficult to hold impeachment proceedings. Civil liberties were stripped from the people, who were unable to protest or organize to call for an impeachment. Yoon could have used the military to prevent any dissent. He has already painted his opposition, who hold a majority in parliament, as pro-North Korean communists intent on destroying the nation.
The people of South Korea were caught off guard by the emergency declaration. Still, the president insisted it was necessary to protect the people, rather than himself, from a fair democracy. Yoon went as far as accusing the National Assembly as “a haven for criminals, a den of legislative dictatorship that seeks to paralyze the judicial and administrative systems and overturn our liberal democratic order.” Yoon is also enraged at recent budget cuts, which he believes will turn South Korea into “a drug haven and a state of public safety chaos.”
Yoon has used every trick in the book. He has declared that he is protecting the people when in fact he is protecting himself. Only Yoon is attempting to silence the democratic process by behaving like a dictator. The people do not want this man in power. Gallup Korea conducted a poll last month that found 72% disapproved of the president, with only 19% in support. He has rarely received a favorability rating of over 30% due his countless scandals and corrupt image. An online petition gained 811,000 signatures to have the president removed immediately. Yoon has not been officially impeached, nor has it been formally discussed, yet many believe this sudden declaration of martial law is directly related.
Opposition leader Lee Jae-myung believed a coop was inevitable before martial law was lifted. “Tanks, armored personnel carriers, and soldiers with guns and knives will rule the country,” he warned. “The economy of the Republic of Korea will collapse irretrievably.” Hours later, Lee was frantically making public statements to urge the military to retreat, claiming they would be labeled accomplices. “To the police and the members of the armed forces: any orders from the president stemming from this illegal martial law declaration are clearly unlawful, as they violate the constitution and the law.”
Was the president of South Korea attempting to overthrow his own elected government? Socrates warned that 2024 would be the political year from hell and much could happen in the next three weeks.
Posted originally on the CTH on December 3, 2024 | Sundance
South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol (People’s Party) declared martial law accusing the opposition party of engaging in “anti-state” activities in alignment with North Korea.
Hours later, the Democrat controlled parliament voted to lift the declaration, with National Assembly Speaker Woo Won Shik declaring that the martial law was “invalid” and that lawmakers “will protect democracy with the people.”
President Yoon, 63, has held South Korea’s top office since 2022, when he succeeded Moon Jae-in, from the left-wing Democratic Party. During President Trump’s first term, Moon Jae-in and North Korea’s Kim Jong-un formed a close political bond. Moon favors dialogue with North Korea, Yoon is a more hawkish outlook against the DPRK.
In a close election President Yoon won with the People’s Party after serving as prosecutor general of South Korea for two years before resigning amid disputes with the Moon Jae-in government.
Despite the South Korean parliament voting to invalidate the martial law declaration so far, the South Korean military appears to be supporting the position of the president.
South Korea – […] Police and military personnel were seen leaving the Assembly’s grounds after Woo called for their withdrawal. Lee Jae-myung, leader of the liberal Democratic Party, which holds the majority in the 300-seat parliament, said the party’s lawmakers will remain in the Assembly’s main hall until Yoon formally lifts his order.
Seemingly hundreds of protesters gathered in front of the Assembly, waving banners and calling for Yoon’s impeachment.
“Democratic Party lawmakers, including me and many others, will protect our country’s democracy and future and public safety, lives and properties, with our own lives,” Lee told a televised news conference.
The president’s surprising move harkened back to an era of authoritarian leaders that the country has not seen since the 1980s, and it was immediately denounced by the opposition and the leader of Yoon’s own conservative party.
Following Yoon’s announcement, South Korea’s military proclaimed that parliament and other political gatherings that could cause “social confusion” would be suspended, according to South Korea’s Yonhap news agency. (read more)
It’s a little bit of an odd dynamic and the South Korea -vs- North Korea relationship is complicated.
President Trump previously held the sentiment that South and North Korea could work out a unification process; in essence, from Trump’s perspective that would lessen the influence of China. However, with many people inside South Korea worried about what that would mean to their democracy, there is quite a disparity of opinion.
Better times. President Trump, Chairman Kim and President Moon.
Posted originally on the CTH on December 3, 2024 | Sundance
Congratulations to Tucker Carlson for gaining re-entry visas during a time when Russia has essentially locked down their visitor entry process. Tucker Carlson has announced he is back in Moscow, Russia for an interview with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. WATCH:
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This should be an exceptional interview at a very critical time in the transition of U.S. power.
Below is a transcript of the recent comments made by Russian President Vladimir Putin remarking on President Donald Trump.
[Transcript] ♦ Question: Vladimir Kulagin, Vedomosti.
To what degree should and could the current escalation, initiated by the Biden administration’s approval for ATACMS strikes on Russia, influence the potential for establishing connections with the forthcoming Trump administration? How significant will this factor be in shaping relationships? Or are there perhaps other indicators that complicate this endeavor?
♦ Vladimir Putin: We are unaware of the discussions between Mr Trump and the incumbent President during their meeting. We simply do not know, and therefore, we shall refrain from commenting on it – it is not feasible.
There are various scenarios. If incumbent President Biden believes that by escalating tensions, by intensifying the confrontation, he is paving the way for the future administration to extricate itself from this predicament, allowing the President-elect to say: “It’s not me, it’s others who have lost their senses. I have no part in this. Let’s engage in dialogue.” Certainly, that remains a possibility.
Another plausible scenario is that the current administration seeks to create additional challenges for the future administration. That too is conceivable. However, from my perspective, the newly elected president is both intelligent and experienced, and I believe he will discover a solution, especially after enduring such, shall we say, a significant challenge as the battle to reclaim the White House.
You know, what struck me most, and I think you share my view, was not the fact that entirely uncivilised means were employed against Trump, absolutely uncivilised, including attempts on his life, more than once (incidentally, I believe he is still not entirely safe). So what? There have been various instances in the history of the United States. I believe he is a wise and hopefully judicious individual who comprehends all this. But what astonished me more was that during the attacks on him, during the struggle against him, not only was he subjected to degrading, unfounded procedures, legal charges, and so on, but his family members and children were targeted.
Our gangsters do not engage in such behaviour. When criminal groups clash among themselves, they do not involve women and children; they leave them be, men fight among themselves. But these individuals did involve them, can you believe it? It is so repugnant that it underscores once more the complete disarray of today’s American political system.
Nevertheless, the country remains great, unquestionably. We are open to dialogue with the United States, including with the future administration.
Thank you very much. Have a pleasant day. Goodbye. (LINK)
Posted originally on the CTH on December 3, 2024 | Sundance
Hillsborough County Sherrif Chad Chronister, a COVID-19 mandate enforcer, has withdrawn his name from nomination as head of the Drug Enforcement Agency. Chronister announces via Twitter:
Many people are wondering who recommended him to President-elect Donald Trump (possible hint below). No one is certain, but the withdrawal is a positive sign. This guy was one of the worst sheriffs in Florida for COVID-19 enforcement, and leans left under the mask of leaning right.
For President Trump this withdrawal is a slight hiccup, and he will likely not be happy with the person who recommended the nomination.
“Over the past several days, as the gravity of this very important responsibility set in, I’ve concluded that I must respectfully withdraw from consideration. There is more work to be done for the citizens of Hillsborough County and a lot of initiatives I am committed to fulfilling. I sincerely appreciate the nomination, outpouring of support by the American people, and look forward to continuing my service as Sheriff of Hillsborough County.”
Our country is fortunate to have @PamBondi as President @realDonaldTrump nominee for US Attorney General. She is such a selfless servant who will be tireless in keeping us all safe. pic.twitter.com/i9bF3SCHAP
Posted originally on Dec 3, 2024 by Martin Armstrong
What began as a special military operation has turned into the start of the next world war, and Russia is paying heavily. Russian President Vladimir Putin passed a new budget over the weekend that will allocate 32.5% of the total budget (13.5 trillion rubles) for FY25 to defense spending, which accounts for 6.2% of total GDP.
The amount in proportion to the total budget spent on defense in FY24 was 28.3%. Notably, the budget is factoring in military costs for the next three years – this war will not simply end with Trump. Russia’s pre-war military expenditure was only 3.6 trillion rubles, rising to 5.5 trillion at the beginning of the war from 5.5 trillion rubles in 2022 to 6.4 trillion rubles in 2023.
Russia must find a way to finance this war. The Kremlin estimates GDP for 2024 to come in at 195.8 trillion rubles, although last year’s GDP was 172.1 trillion rubles. The GDP for 2025 is anticipated to be 214.6 trillion rubles. The nation is confident it will continue earning but that is not enough to fund the growing war.
Putin has already raised taxes for the first time in nearly 25 years. The corporate tax rate will rise by 5% from 20% to 25%. The government expects to generate an additional 2.6 trillion rubles in revenue once the tax is implemented in 2025. Russia’s Finance Ministry believes that 2 million people, 3.2% of the working population, will see a rise in their taxes. Taxes on investments will not change. “The changes are aimed at building a fair and balanced tax system,” Finance Minister Anton Siluanov said, adding that the additional funds would bolster Russia’s “economic well-being.”
The flat tax rate of 13% that Putin implemented when he took over for Yeltsin in 2001 accounted for much of his popularity. Still, the people overwhelmingly have a sense of patriotism and support Russia as well as Putin. Even with the ongoing war, Russia still only spends about one-fourth of what America and China do on defense. Even India spends more than Russia on its military. We can obviously see where these nations believe the war effort is heading when looking at future budget forecasts. Three years from now brings us to the pivotal year of 2027/2028, where all bets are off, and it would come as zero surprise if/when Russia raises its military spending budget projections.
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