martial law declared in South Korea

[goingtohellinahandcart]

Not entirely clear what is going on but the president of South Korea has declared martial law and apparently troops have tried to enter the parliament

Why would Trump declare martial law? He's been elected with a decisive, democratic mandate and will hold all 3 branches of government. He can't now be sentenced (and he will probably pardon himself on the "politicisation of the justice department" precedent Biden has created for his son). The situation in S Korea is a lame duck president refusing to leave. That's more likely to be Biden at this particular stage in US politics. Or maybe he could grant a few more pardons (including himself and his brother), and undemocratically stuff the Supreme Court and abolish the filibuster. Or would that suggestion be spreading silly scare stories for no reason?

What EXACTLY happened at the end of his last presidency?!

Or were you not paying attention?

I swear to god some days...

President has announced he’s lifting martial law. What a bizarre evening!

@Igotjelly Very bizarre. I find myself wondering if he is having some kind of breakdown/meltdown, and has now been taken in hand and restrained by other officials.
If only US Republicans had been capable of such swift and decisive containment.

It’s been a wild few hours. I’m relieved it has deescalated. I am sure the reckoning won’t be pretty but this could have gone downhill fast.

YABVU to expect the first item on the news to be the most important and affecting the population the most. Have you never seen the first item be 'Royal goes to Church on Christmas Day' or something likewise irrelevant to most people's lives?

It. Was. A. Day. Of. Love. OK??? Clearly you have been getting too much of your news from legacy media 🙄

[Edited to say: sarcasm in case that wasn't clear]

But apparently he can’t lift the martial law until the cabinet meet and it’s early in the morning so they aren’t available….. what on earth have they got going on that’s more important 😂

is he the same president who sang American Pie when visiting joe Biden?

I believe so.

Too busy sleeping.

Its no big deal really if things get out of hand im sure the uk can house more people.

The Bank of England interest rate is relatively low. Interest rates for borrowers in the UK are still high due to global pressures. Everything that happens in the world directly impacts us in the UK. That’s literally how the economy works.

There's days when I really do wonder about the world TBF.

Yes 'Love In At The Capitol' soon to be made into a romantic comedy.

what next for him

You mean it might encourage Elon Musk to influence Trump to use similar tactics.

Donald Trump has a growth named Elon Musk.
It hasn’t let go since the 5 November election.

Yes, I was paying attention. I don't think you were. A bunch of losers stormed Congress and shat on a few desks, and are now banged up in prison, not running the US. Trump didn't seize power through martial law. I don't believe he has faced any charges of orchestrating a coup, has he?

That was after he lost the 2020 election. This time he won - decisively. I'll quote you: it's something I wouldn't put past Trump. You are predicting a future action when there's fuck all reason for him to do this. You are just scare mongering for no reason, and tying his name to a situation that has nothing to do with him.

Not biting.

Sorry.

You'll be waiting a long time and then a lot more waiting.

My niece says all is quiet, a very strange day!

Must be a very peculiar atmosphere after yesterday. Is she there long term? Is she worried or does she think it's going to blow over?

She has been there over 12 years now. She doesn't work in Seoul and there was little, if any impact anywhere else. From what she said, the local people were as confused as we are over what happened and why!

@spanieleyes thank you. I actually found myself wondering if the president was having some kind of breakdown. It all does seem very weird. Hopefully everything will settle down quickly.

I spoke to a friend I know who lives in Seoul and he said it was really scary at first because they assumed there was a genuine attack underway from the North but that once they realised what it was a sense of anger seems to have taken over. SK is no stranger to rough and tumble politics but this was a different level.

Raphael Rashid AT koyrodynasty
Important to note that calls for Yoon's resignation extend far beyond politics. Women's orgs, LGBTQ groups, and disability rights activists, communities who have consistently reported deteriorating rights/protections under his admin, have all joined in amidst martial law crisis.

Forgot to mention other groups including labour rights groups etc.

And of course, individual citizens too.

Main opposition proposes impeachment motion for defence minister after martial law turmoil, reports Yonhap.

Defence minister Kim Yong-hyun offers to resign, says he feels responsible for what happened and wants to take responsibility

Main opposition Democratic party has also submitted a motion to impeach defence minister Kim Yong-hyun.

If Yoon accepts Kim's resignation before parliament votes, Kim would no longer be subject to the impeachment process.

Very concerning developments regarding press freedoms emerged following President Yoon's short-lived martial law declaration, with multiple journalists going into hiding after military personnel reportedly deployed to control media outlets last night.

Around 10 soldiers allegedly blocked access to the 'Kim Eo-jun's News Factory' YouTube studio in Chungjeongno, Seoul. A lawyer and other guests were prevented from entering. Soldiers remained after martial law was lifted, claiming they hadn't received orders to leave

Kim Eo-jun, a fierce critic of Yoon, claims military arrest teams arrived at his home, forcing him to flee. He alleges he received a tip-off that an arrest warrant was prepared and he was under a travel ban. He says he "drove through the night to get far away".

Newstapa's three defendants (CEO and two reporters) in Yoon's defamation case fled their homes. Newstomato journalists investigating the Myung Tae-kyun scandal also went into hiding with their editor-in-chief, saying they faced "real threats as journalists".

My piece from 2022 re: Kim Eo-jun (Kim Ou-joon) and concerns over press freedom in South Korea under the Yoon Suk Yeol government.

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/nov/16/south-korea-cuts-funding-to-broadcaster-as-concern-over-press-freedom-grows