South Korea, a country generally applauded for its high-tech innovations and mass media explosion, has recently been under international scrutiny for not the particularly right reasons. Over the past two weeks, South Korea’s political system and presidency has been under fire.
When Yoon Suk Yeol unexpectedly called martial law on the nation late at night just a few weeks prior on December 3rd, it was a startling wakeup call for many citizens. Yoon’s approval ratings had been in free-fall, tumbling with every consecutive week. However, this order was something South Korea had not seen in decades. Claiming that North Korean/Communist influences were up and about in the government, Yoon called military order to shake off the current Korean parliament. Instantly, an outrage erupted among citizens, and Yoon was forced to contract his statements. Soon after this, he was impeached.
Now, in a shocking and brutal political move, Korea’s sitting-leader, Han Duck Soo, has also been swiftly upended from power. In what was a unanimous, 192-0 vote, lawmakers ousted the Prime Minister from acting leader, putting forth now Choi Sang Mok as the leader.
The chaos that has erupted in just a span of one month is simply something that the people of Korea will not see for a long time.
Sources:
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/26/world/asia/south-korea-impeach-president-han.html
Image Credits: Getty Images
