South Korea's insane coup plot exposed: Attack North Korea to justify martial law
Dec 14, 2024
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A dramatic plot unfolds as South Korea's president attempts a coup, aiming to provoke war with North Korea. The plan backfires, exposing authoritarian tendencies and geopolitical tensions in the region. Amid corruption and unpopularity, the president's actions raise alarms about U.S. influence and military strategies. The response of North Korea showcases restraint amidst inflammatory rhetoric. Discussions touch on the historical context of U.S.-Korea relations and the ongoing class struggles in South Korea.
President Yoon Suk-yeol's failed coup attempt highlights the fragility of democracy in South Korea amid increasing authoritarianism and U.S. support.
The attempted coup reveals geopolitical tensions as South Korea aligns with U.S. and NATO strategies, complicating regional stability with North Korea and China.
Deep dives
South Korea's Attempted Military Coup
In December 2024, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol attempted to launch a military coup by declaring martial law and seeking to arrest political opponents. This dramatic move followed a pattern of escalating tensions where South Korea aimed to provoke a conflict with North Korea, positioning alleged threats to justify authoritarian measures. The situation escalated as Yoon's government allegedly authorized military actions against lawmakers opposing the martial law, resulting in attempts to physically remove them from the National Assembly. The failed coup has raised significant questions about the state of democracy in South Korea, particularly given its recent democratic history and the ongoing influence of military and political elites.
Western Support for Authoritarian Leadership
Yoon's far-right government has received staunch backing from the United States, raising concerns about Western narratives portraying South Korea as a loyal democratic ally against authoritarian regimes like China. Critics argue that this support continues despite Yoon's dictatorial actions, illuminating a troubling double standard in how the U.S. engages with its allies. The situation has been further complicated by Yoon’s attempts to align with Japan, another U.S. ally, despite historical grievances stemming from Japan’s colonial past. This indicates a broader strategy by the U.S. to isolate and counter perceived threats from China and North Korea at the expense of democratic values.
Internal Political Dynamics and Popular Discontent
Yoon's actions were fueled by waning popularity as he faced corruption allegations and widespread disapproval, with approval ratings dropping to historic lows. Amid these pressures, he sought to consolidate power by attempting to eliminate opposition, specifically targeting those associated with the Democratic Party. The political landscape in South Korea has been characterized by an oligarchic structure where a handful of corporate conglomerates wield extensive power over both the economy and politics. This backdrop of political discontent and oligarchic control showcases the fragility of democracy in a nation where the public's voice is increasingly overshadowed by elite interests.
Geopolitical Implications and Military Alliances
The attempted coup in South Korea underscores significant geopolitical ramifications, particularly as South Korea increasingly aligns itself with NATO and the U.S. military. As the U.S. navigates its strategy against rivals like China and North Korea, it leverages allies like South Korea as frontline states in potential conflicts. Reports reveal that internal discussions within the U.S. military contemplate coordinated confrontations involving nuclear capabilities against adversaries. Such developments raise alarms over the implications for regional stability, particularly in light of historical animosities and ongoing military provocations that further complicate peace efforts.
South Korea's US-backed President Yoon Suk Yeol launched a coup attempt, but failed. He tried to provoke war with North Korea by attacking with drones, hoping to justify imposing martial law, but the DPRK showed restraint. Ben Norton analyzes the geopolitics of the crisis, addressing NATO, China, Japan, and more.
VIDEO: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGXKAkieFkY
Topics
0:00 Intro
1:10 Yoon Suk Yeol, DC darling
2:11 Authoritarianism in South Korea & Japan
3:07 Washington's anti-China alliance
3:46 Yoon plotted war with North Korea
6:15 Yoon ordered military to assault lawmakers
7:51 South Korean opposition
9:00 Crazy coup plot
10:55 Coup planned in advance
11:39 Opposition warned of martial law
12:11 Yoon's corruption & unpopularity
14:01 Class war
15:02 Chaebols: corporate oligopolies
17:21 US military bases
18:49 South Korea: a US "client"
19:54 (CLIP) Yoon's speech to US Congress
22:23 Yoon blames "Chinese spies"
23:04 US cultivates anti-China assets
23:54 Lee Jae-myung opposes conflict with China
26:20 Japan
29:32 NATO
30:30 USA targets "Axis of Adversaries"
31:14 US nuclear threats
33:12 NYPD spends more than DPRK military
34:06 Korean War
34:43 USA killed 20% of North Korea's population
36:56 UK plans for world war
38:00 Outro
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