

Martial Law (Briefly) in South Korea
6 snips Dec 4, 2024
Terence Roehrig, a national security affairs professor at the U.S. Naval War College and expert on East Asian issues, discusses the alarming declaration of martial law by South Korea's President Yoon Suk Yeol. He highlights the immediate parliamentary pushback that swiftly overturned the decision. The conversation dives into the fraught political landscape, examining Yoon's background and the striking resilience of South Korean citizens who rallied against military restrictions. Roehrig also critiques the implications for democracy and the international response to this crisis.
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Reasons for Martial Law
- Yoon Suk-yeol faced pushback on funding priorities and potential budget cuts.
- Impeachment proceedings against his administration added to the pressure.
Parliamentary Resistance
- The military closed down the National Assembly under Yoon's martial law order.
- The Assembly defied the order, physically barricading themselves in to vote against it.
US Response
- The US response to the martial law declaration was seen as disappointingly weak.
- A stronger stance in support of South Korean democracy is needed.