Just a year ago, the South Korean president, Yoon Suk Yeol, addressed the UK parliament with a speech that praised the country as the birthplace of liberal democracy. He pledged that South Korea would join with the UK in promoting freedom, peace and prosperity for the international community.
This week, Yoon made an apparent U-turn in his admiration for democracy, throwing the country into turmoil by calling for emergency martial law. In a televised address to the nation, he claimed there was a need to protect the country from “shameless, pro-North Korean, anti-state” forces. He also said it was time to “rebuild and protect” South Korea from “falling into ruin”.
Within a few hours, lawmakers inside the National Assembly chamber and citizens in the streets outside swiftly and decisively reversed Yoon’s decision and forced him to back down. It was a robust demonstration of South Korean democracy at work.
