South Korea’s Attempted Coup?

South Korea’s political stability was shaken on December 3, 2024, when President Yoon Suk-yeol declared martial law in a shocking late-night address. Citing threats from “pro-North Korean” forces and accusing the opposition of anti-state activities, the move introduced sweeping restrictions, curtailed freedoms, and deployed the military to enforce the decree. The declaration, a chilling echo of the nation’s history of military rule, ignited mass protests and parliamentary resistance. Within hours, lawmakers unanimously revoked the decree, forcing Yoon to rescind his order amidst public outrage and accusations of a power grab. This extraordinary incident has triggered impeachment proceedings against Yoon, casting uncertainty over his leadership and reigniting debates about South Korea's democratic resilience.

This incident has brought international attention to South Korea’s fragile balance between democratic progress and the spectre of authoritarianism. Emerging from decades of military rule, the country has established itself as one of Asia’s most robust democracies. Yet, Yoon’s actions raise concerns about the enduring influence of the military and the vulnerabilities of presidential power. As South Korea faces mounting political and constitutional questions, including the role of the armed forces and calls for systemic reform, this crisis serves as a stark reminder of the country’s tumultuous journey toward democracy and the remaining challenges.

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*VIDEO CHAPTERS*
00:00 Introduction and Titles
01:53 South Korea: Location, Population and Political System
02:40 The Emergence of South Korea
03:54 South Korea under Syngman Rhee
04:58 South Korea under Military Rule, 1961-1988
06:55 Democracy Returns to South Korea
08:43 President Yoon Imposes Martial Law
10:12 What was behind Yoon’s Decision?
11:16 South Korea Faces Tough Questions

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#SouthKorea #KoreanPolitics #SouthKoreaNews

[JamesKerLindsay]

Well, this was an utterly extraordinary turn of events. So, what do you think really lay behind? And what should happen now? Should Yoon be prosecuted? And what about the military? Should the top leadership also be held directly accountable? And is it time to reform the constitution and reduce presidential power? Let me know in the comments below.

[뮨-mz]

As a high school student in Korea, I will do my utmost to ensure we never return to the past.

[terrypark]

Korean in korea, this is far from over. The ruling party has prolonged the situation today by the whole party not participating in voting at all on impeachment. We are now afraid they will start a war just to make up a reason for declaring martial law.

[clairejinjung]

We are not turning back but moving forward to finally get much more firmer democratic system!

[waitfor...sec]

알고리즘의 초대
잘 보고 갑니다
Thank you
professor Ker-Lindsay!!

[openmind]

As a South American, I am also watching South Korea here in South America. I always think that the countries that look at other countries negatively are the British or Germans. This prediction is not wrong. Any country can face this situation if the wrong person appears. After the Korean president declared martial law, this martial law was ended in just 6 hours by a vote in the National Assembly and the swift actions of the Korean people. This is democracy alive in South Korea. The conclusion is that if this Korean president steps down, South Korea will go back to the way it was before.

[Niksg]

Love seeing you commit to pumping out videos about recent events like this. I know you spent a long time pushing this out ASAP, it's appreciated professor

It's sad how few people know how brutal and murderous the dictatorship of the South was, and how the west supported it purely for geopolitical interests outside of the region.

[hrj]

We koreans have been shocked, but we are a people who grow stronger in the face of adversity.
I know that we ultimately drive out that crazy man and manage to keep our democracy. If you knew how we accomplished democratization, you would understand our sense of proud.

[adamski-lw]

I must say we should all be very proud of The Republic of Korea 🇰🇷. I see this in a positive light. Korean democracy was put to the test and it passed with flying colours!

The Korean nation and parliament stood up and put the coup down. The military’s behaviour is disappointing. All those officers who facilitated the coup should be ashamed and of course prosecuted. And Yoon impeached.
Plus, no blood was spilled.

Much respect Korea! 🇰🇷 from 🇦🇺

[quartercast]

Thanks Prof for covering this current event. I was hoping you would cover the case of the soldier apologising to the public. I watched it on video and found it an interesting angle, and very sincere.

[mjlee]

As a Korean, I enjoyed watching the video with great interest. By the way, I would like to point out that the video incorrectly stated that Korean lawmakers serve 5-year terms. While the President of Korea serves a 5-year term, National Assembly members serve 4-year terms.

[wheldixn]

We ended martial law through democratic procedures in just three hours. And today, we will impeach the president through democratic procedures. Through this, we will prove that we are a mature democratic nation.🇰🇷🇰🇷

[stereomachine]

Commenting as a Korean on the general situation; not this video specifically. It's really frustrating seeing people online celebrating the collapse of my country, claiming its most extreme online internet communities and crimes are representative of its normal people, and exoticizing/stereotyping it. The country has genuine, serious problems, but many of the ones foreigners identify are off the mark and really unhelpful.

The country is a wonderful place and the majority of people are good. It's painful what the rich and powerful are doing to it.

[erichstocker]

Nice concise review of the development of government in S. Korea.

[barrydunne]

Thank you for this video as I haven't really had time to check out what is happening in South Korea. In fact I've not got enough info on current situations there or Syria... I'd love to see you do a video on Syria or Georgia and their current troubles. I'm in touch e every other day with friends in Tbilisi taking part in the protests and they're genuinely worried about the recent uptake in aggressive attacks by the police on media and protesters..

[bitastro]

First of all, I am favorable towards Britain and the British, but.. But the media doesn't really like it., I know that fact. Even 70 years ago, the British experts viewed South Korea negatively, and even 10 years ago, the British experts viewed South Korea negatively, and even now, the British experts's position on South Korea seems to have not changed. But were the numerous predictions about Korea correct? Do not underestimate Korean people. Korean democracy was not obtained by accident. Korea will never go back to the way it was before because of the Korean people. No Korean president can defeat the Korean people

[IAmTheOnlyLucas]

I taught English in South Korea for three years and learned Korean while I was there. In Daegu, the fourth largest city in the country and the place I lived and worked, it's hard to understate how popular President Park Chunghee still is. Without a doubt the system Park instituted was repressive and authoritarian, but the country he took over had been languishing in poverty for every South Korean's lifetime to that point. President Park was tolerated and (celebrated still in some places) because he made a small country rich and important in the world. History tells us that people will endure a great deal of repression if their living conditions are improving. I think the fact that he was assassinated by someone close to him and in a position of considerable power created some distance between the regime he created and the Jeon Doo-hwan regime the South Korean people overthrew.

Thak you as always Professor, impressive turn around!

[m.j.n.]

This was crazy and scary. I've lived in South Korea, and my girlfriend lives there. It is probably the biggest scandal in Korean politics since democratization. It's really freaked out, my friends there

[grow]

To people who do not understand why he did this.
The reason for the declaration of martial law is that his approval rating has dropped to 20%, and he has failed to gain the trust or popularity of the people. Most importantly, there is growing dissatisfaction with the opposition party and even many within his own party who no longer support him, making it impossible for him to carry out anything he tries to do. That's why he resorted to an absurd martial law declaration.
It’s a reason that defies understanding, no matter who looks at it, which is why many Korean citizens and politicians are deeply fearful.
They think he might even be mentally unstable, raising concerns about what he might do in the coming days.
For this reason, there’s already an effort to impeach him as soon as tomorrow.
There is no connection to North Korea; it’s just that he needed to come up with a reason to justify declaring martial law, so he fabricated this excuse.
The president did not comply with the laws required to declare martial law, and today it was revealed that he had issued orders to detain politicians from the opposition party.
The imposition of martial law itself was carried out illegally.
It is believed that the president timed the declaration late at night so that citizens and the opposition would not have enough time to stop him.
Soldiers admitted that they did not even know why they were being deployed until they arrived, and upon realizing the nature of their actions, they felt it was wrong and did not actively block citizens or politicians.

[mashitta]

South Korea's democracy index is the highest in asia and the role model of other countries. I'm sure Korea will handle this in a peaceful and democratic way.