Month: December 2024

Two impeachments in two weeks: Race to the bottom?

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1/ Major Korean papers this morning analyse the second impeachment in two weeks. "Acting president of acting president" (권한 대행의 대행) creates what editorials describe as a triple crisis in politics, economy, and security.

— Raphael Rashid (@koryodynasty.bsky.social) 2024-12-28T01:58:23.688Z

Full 15-post thread unroll via Skyview, summarizing the political analyses of Saturday’s major South Korean newspapers, here.♦

Photo at top: Lawmakers of the ruling People Power Party protest to South Korea’s National Assembly Speaker Woo Won Shik, above, during a plenary session for the impeachment motion against South Korean acting President Han Duck-soo at the National Assembly in Seoul, South Korea, Dec. 27, 2024.

Yoon’s North Korea policies would not be to Trump’s liking

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Yoon was an effective ROK leader in South Korea's overall diplomacy. But in Trump's probable view, Yoon turned the clock back on North Korea by ignoring Trump's efforts with Kim and exacerbating tensions with the DPRK since 2022. Trump may prefer a new ROK leader he can deal with through his term.

— Dr. Mark P. Barry☯︎ (@drmarkpbarry.bsky.social) 2024-12-07T20:01:19.261Z

Photo at top: President Yoon Suk Yeol bows in apology to the South Korean public during a press conference at the presidential office in Seoul on Dec. 7.

The photo seen ’round the world

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This photo (and video) of Ahn Gwi-ryeong, 35, a spokesperson for South Korea’s opposition Democratic Party, grabbing the weapon of a soldier outside South Korea’s National Assembly building after the Dec. 3 declaration of martial law, has been shared widely online. BBC story here.

Trilateralism is so last month

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The failure of the Biden team to promptly condemn an attempted coup in South Korea is disgraceful. The best thing the US could have done would have been to firmly signal opposition to martial law.

— Jeffrey Lewis (@armscontrolwonk.bsky.social) 2024-12-03T18:07:59.219Z

Photo at top: Soldiers try to enter the National Assembly building in Seoul on December 4, 2024, after South Korea President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law at 10:25 pm KT on Dec. 3.