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.