South Korea goes under dramatic martial law The democratic process cannot hide political polarization

At about 10:30 on the evening of the 3rd, South Korean President Yoon Seok-yoon suddenly announced the implementation of national emergency martial law on the grounds of "anti-state forces planning rebellion". The martial law includes banning all political activities, all media and publications are subject to martial law control, and banning strikes and gatherings inciting social chaos and other six measures. The scene once erupted in conflict, but this action did not get the support of the National Assembly, the 190 members of the National Assembly unanimously voted to nullify the martial law, and then Yoon Seok Yue announced at 4:30 am that he agreed to the National Assembly's request to lift the martial law, ending the six-hour political farce, after 44 years South Korea once again declared martial law, shocking the international at the same time, It also raises concerns about the democratization of South Korea's political system.

After the baptism of the late night political farce by the South Korean people and the international community, the senior staff of the ruling party represented by Yin Xiyue collectively resigned on the 4th, the South Korean government and opposition parties condemned, the six major opposition parties asked Yin Xiyue to resign, and announced the crime of "civil unrest" against Yin Xiyue, on the same day, Seoul Gwanghwamun Square, in front of the National Assembly Building and other places tens of thousands of South Korean citizens held protest rallies. In addition, after the announcement of martial law, the South Korean stock market and currency markets have been shaken, the Korean won exchange rate once fell to a two-year low, the composite index opened Ge is down nearly 2%, the current South Korean National Assembly has prepared to propose impeachment and freeze Yin Xiyue's presidency, if established, Yin Xiyue will become the president of the Park Geun-hye impeachment in 2016 after the National Assembly. The president, who was impeached and removed from office after eight years, is even facing prison as the "curse of Cheong Wa Dae" is repeated.

The martial law incident not only reflects domestic political tensions in South Korea, but also raises international concerns about the stability of South Korea's democratic system. At the same time, the turmoil in financial markets and the panic buying of daily necessities during the martial law also showed the social instability, and although the martial law lasted only a few hours and ended dramatically, its far-reaching impact highlighted the current political instability and polarization in South Korea.

First, in the April 2024 National Assembly election, the ruling People Power Party and its satellite parties won only 108 seats, far less than the 175 seats of the Minjoo Party and its satellite parties. This result marks the lame-duck situation of the Yoon government, and the political deadlock has doomed the implementation of the Yoon government's policy plans. And the "small opposition big" political party pattern has also laid the groundwork for today's political turmoil.

Secondly, during the Yin Xiyue administration, due to policy disputes and scandals, the president's approval rate dropped to a historic low, and the people's dissatisfaction with the government and the crisis of trust in the government remained, which led to the intensification of people's dissatisfaction with the government and even the atmosphere of "regime trial". Such political polarization not only affected the implementation of domestic policies, but also intensified the division and opposition in society.

Finally, the democratization process in South Korea began in the late 1980s and has resulted in a number of political reforms that have led to a more balanced distribution of power between the executive, legislative and judicial branches. However, political reforms have not progressed smoothly, and while significant economic progress has been made, corruption and patronage remain, which have affected the political legitimacy of the government and the confidence of the public. Social problems such as the gender wage gap, long working hours, and the inadequacy of the social welfare system have long existed and intensified, which not only reflect the limitations of the East Asian model of Korean capitalism, but also promote the irreconcilable binary opposition between political parties and civil affairs and government.

In short, the current political situation in South Korea is a challenging and uncertain period, with a combination of ruling and opposition parties, political polarization, and economic and social issues making the political situation in South Korea complex and volatile. The future political direction of South Korea requires more careful and comprehensive consideration in policy formulation and implementation.