The wildcard: An incompetent coup and entrenched political instability?
The overturning of martial law has been widely reported as a victory for democracy - is it really?
On 3 December South Korea’s president imposed martial law. Within six hours the National Assembly voted to overturn the declaration. While democracy prevailed, the incident exposed entrenched political instability in South Korea.
The overturning of martial law has been widely reported as representing a landmark victory for democracy to restore the fundamental rights of citizens to participate freely in governance. Many see the event as reaffirming the power of collective action, civic resistance, and the resilience of democratic ideals.
However, the fact that President Yoon believed a declaration of martial law was an appropriate strategy is a significant marker of the growing influence of extremist ideologies. The potential for underlying political instability remains.
An incompetent coup?
President Yoon Suk Yeol’s failed attempt to use martial law to secure his interests reveals fundamental missteps in managing institutional dynamics.
Yoon failed to secure control over key state machiner…