Yoon cited a motion by the country's opposition Democratic Party, which has a majority in parliament, this week to impeach some of the country's top prosecutors and its rejection of a government budget proposal.
They declared martial law over a budget proposal??
The South Korean military says it will maintain martial law until it is lifted by President Yoon Suk Yeol, despite the nation's parliament voting to block its enforcement, according to the country's national broadcaster.
Yeah this is 100% a power grab. AFAIK there’s nothing going on right now in SK at a national level that could possibly justify the declaration of martial law countrywide.
As far as I understand, the president's decision might be void, since he was required to hold a session of the government before declaring martial law, but did not.
I predict that the military will consult their lawyers and stop enforcing it really soon.
I suspect the president either went insane or attempted some kind of a coup. His own party voting against his decision is a clear signal that it's a solo performance. He has no political backing.
I mean… if the military is behind the president (and it sounds like they just might be), this is just the beginning phase of a coup, wherein their legislature is taken out behind the shed.
This is hours old, I think there might be a couple generals for sure, but the rest of the military is playing catch up. We'll see how those chips fell tomorrow morning most likely.
Judging by the unanimous decision of the parliament, the majority of soldiers will have no interest in going forward with a coup. A minority could have interest, but would soon notice they're a minority.
Technically it might be, but all political power stems from the people agreeing to be governed. If they aren't represented, they won't agree to be governed for long.
Basically, the parliament can't afford to let itself be suspended. It's needed because the president is going to get dismissed after this kind of behaviour.
So, the following is a genuine question and not a snide remark.
Does that matter? Is the military going to respect that? I'd heard prior to this that the military had forbade parliament from gathering. What's to say they don't just side with Yoon?Certainly wouldn't be the first time in history that a nation's military has dictated the corse of the nation's civil future. I really hate asking questions like this but I'm just not familiar enough with the politics of South Korea to know if this a done and dusted thing or if the military is likely to go for a coup if Yoon pitches it.
God, I was just breathing a sigh of relief till this poped up a moment later.
The South Korean military says it will maintain martial law until it is lifted by President Yoon Suk Yeol, despite the nation's parliament voting to block its enforcement, according to the country's national broadcaster.
Nah, even if evidence appeared at this stage showing the election was interfered with here, the damage is done, there would be no attempt to keep office. The S.C. would rule the period for recounting the votes has passed, precedent being 2000 Florida.
It's possible a few might, and with the razor thin majority they have it might end up a majority opposing it, but the SCROTUS would nip any resistance in the bud regardless.
The populous voted whether through representatives, singular vote or any other democratic system that their parliament has the right to disband martial law. They voted to disband it and they have not disbanded. It is an act of treason unless he immediately followed the process elected and put in place by the people.
The only way forward would be to have him removed and charged with such immediately, or he is in fact a dictator.
In the end, it's what the military actually end up doing (or not doing) that will determine South Korea's fate. You're right that letting them get away with it will only encourage further lawlessness in the future even if they manage to get through this now.
EDIT: Yoon said he'd lift it, but I really hope they don't let the opposition to the rule of law go unpunished.
Yes. This possibility has been discussed for months now. Yoon framed the cuts to his proposed budget as an "act of sympathy to the North" in his speech.