South Korea’s democracy withstood a six-hour power play as President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law, but the event highlights the fragility of democratic systems in divided societies. The country’s unified popular support for democracy and strong checks and balances played crucial roles in defeating the president’s authoritarian push.
The incident occurred when Yoon, who was elected on a conservative platform, attempted to impose military rule, claiming the opposition was “paralyzing” state affairs. However, lawmakers from both parties stormed the National Assembly, live-streaming themselves climbing over fences, and eventually voted unanimously to cancel martial law.
The event underscored the importance of public support for democracy and the media’s role in shaping public opinion. The widespread broadcast of videos showing protesters climbing over fences and demanding Yoon step down influenced public opinion and helped build momentum against his actions.
Experts say that South Korea’s democracy is vulnerable due to the concentration of power in the presidency, which can be easily abused. The incident also echoes self-coups, or “self-coup” situations, where an executive takes or sponsors illegal actions against others in the government.
The episode has sent shockwaves around the world, with many democracies facing similar threats from authoritarian leaders. The US, for example, is experiencing polarized politics and concerns about President Trump’s intentions to undermine democratic norms.
As experts warn, no democracy can afford to be complacent in the face of rising authoritarianism. The South Korean incident serves as a reminder that democracy requires strong checks and balances, public engagement, and an independent media to ensure its survival.
Source: https://apnews.com/article/coup-yoon-democracy-martial-law-trump-caa2e5c9bbbe59c3af7f3bfab65bdf4b