Scivillage.com Casual Discussion Science Forum

This morning South Korean president Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law throughout South Korea and outlawed all opposition parties and all political activities including protests and rallies. All media were placed under government control. He claimed that this was due to North Korean sympathizers within Parliament attempting to sabotage the government with "anti-state activities".

Parliament responded by voting unanimously, 190-0, to cancel martial law. And Yoon's answer was to send soldiers to seize parliament. Soldiers in combat gear pushed into the parliament building where they were met by parliamentarians with fire extinguisers. (South Korean sources say that the soldiers didn't have clips in their rifles.)

Big crowds of South Korean civilians gathered at the parliament building to protest the coup. Armored vehicles were photographed in the streets.

Then just as suddenly, Yoon canceled his own martial law. I'm guessing that important elements of the South Korean military had communicated that they didn't support his coup and that they would resist it by force.

My guess is that Yoon will immediately be impeached and removed from office.

Yoon addressing the nation announcing his takeover:



Armored vehicles in the streets of Seoul:



Parliament voting 190-0 to lift the president's martial law decree:



Helicopters landing outside the parliament building:





Soldiers inside the parliament building being opposed by members of parliament wielding fire extinguishers



nsNS

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If you think American politics is bad, look at South Korea's list of former presidents:

1. Syngman Rhee (1948–1960) – Overthrown.
2. Yun Bo-seon (1960–1962) – Overthrown.
3. Park Chung-hee (1962–1979) – Assassinated.
4. Choi Kyu-hah (1979–1980) – Removed by a military coup.
5. Chun Doo-hwan (1981–1988) – Sentenced to death after his presidency.
6. Roh Tae-woo (1988–1993) – Sentenced to 22 years in prison after his presidency.
7. Kim Young-sam (1993–1998) – Imprisoned during the term of President No. 3. As president, secured convictions against two of his predecessors.
8. Kim Dae-jung (1998–2003) – Imprisoned under President No. 3 and sentenced to death under President No. 5 (later pardoned). Nobel Peace Prize laureate.
9. Roh Moo-hyun (2003–2008) – Impeached (later overturned by the Constitutional Court). Investigated for corruption after his term and committed suicide.
10. Lee Myung-bak (2008–2013) – Arrested for corruption after his presidency; sentenced to 15 years in prison.
11. Park Geun-hye (2013–2016) – Impeached and arrested for corruption; sentenced to 24 years in prison.
12. Moon Jae-in – Recent president; no imprisonment.
13. Yoon Suk Yeol – Impeachment likely.

The South Korean parliament has just begun impeachment proceedings against president Yoon Suk Yeol.

Yoon Suk Yeol was impeached by Parliament and removed from office. But he's refused to vacate the Presidential residence. After impeaching him, Parliament subpoenaed him to appear before them for questioning. He failed to show up. So Parliament issued an order for his arrest.

The last couple of days have developed into a big standoff at the Presidential residence. Yoon is holed up inside, police seeking to arrest him are outside the compound's walls, and Yoon's heavy duty protection detail (the South Korean Army's 55th Guard Corps) are preventing the police from entering.

Apparently, rival political parties are supporting either Yoon or Parliament. Both sides have allies in the military.

Quote: 1. Syngman Rhee (1948–1960) – Overthrown.
2. Yun Bo-seon (1960–1962) – Overthrown.
3. Park Chung-hee (1962–1979) – Assassinated.
4. Choi Kyu-hah (1979–1980) – Removed by a military coup.
5. Chun Doo-hwan (1981–1988) – Sentenced to death after his presidency.
6. Roh Tae-woo (1988–1993) – Sentenced to 22 years in prison after his presidency.
7. Kim Young-sam (1993–1998) – Imprisoned during the term of President No. 3. As president, secured convictions against two of his predecessors.
8. Kim Dae-jung (1998–2003) – Imprisoned under President No. 3 and sentenced to death under President No. 5 (later pardoned). Nobel Peace Prize laureate.
9. Roh Moo-hyun (2003–2008) – Impeached (later overturned by the Constitutional Court). Investigated for corruption after his term and committed suicide.
10. Lee Myung-bak (2008–2013) – Arrested for corruption after his presidency; sentenced to 15 years in prison.
11. Park Geun-hye (2013–2016) – Impeached and arrested for corruption; sentenced to 24 years in prison.
12. Moon Jae-in – Recent president; no imprisonment.
13. Yoon Suk Yeol – Impeachment likely.

I can see how someone might get the idea for The Squid Game.

About 2,000 police just raided the presidential compound. The military unit that has been protecting Yoon did not resist and Yoon has been arrested without violence.





nsNS