Republic of Korea's Martial Law Declaration Stirs Worry Over Democracy and US Role
Domestic and International Forces Shape Republic of Korea's Political Crisis
Author Editorial—In a recent discussion between international relations experts Jeff Rich and KJ Noh, serious concerns were raised about the state of democracy in Republic of Korea (RoK) following President Yoon Suk Yeol's declaration of martial law on December 3.
KJ Noh, a journalist and political analyst specialising in Asia-Pacific affairs, provided detailed insights into the events surrounding the martial law declaration and its implications for Republic of Korea politics and US-Korea relations.
According to Noh, President Yoon declared martial law during a late-night televised address, citing threats from “North Korean forces” and “anti-state forces”, apparently referring to the opposition Democratic Party which holds a majority in the National Assembly. Special warfare forces were reportedly dispatched to surround the National Assembly building to prevent a vote rejecting the martial law declaration.
However, 190 National Assembly members managed to enter the building, barricade themselves inside, and vote to rescind the martial law order within hours. Noh described the scene as reminiscent of “the Paris Commune”, with politicians jumping fences and forcing their way through barricades.
Noh emphasised the historical significance of martial law declarations in Republic of Korea, stating they are associated with “disappearances, torture, mass graves, mass oppression” in the Korean collective memory. He noted that martial law has been declared at least 12 times in Korean history.
The analyst revealed that investigations have uncovered evidence of extensive planning for the martial law declaration, potentially dating back 18 months. Plans allegedly included kidnapping opposition leaders and even potential assassinations to be blamed on North Korea.
Noh expressed concern about US influence over South Korean politics and military affairs, stating that the US retains operational control over South Korean troops under certain conditions. He suggested that historically, coup leaders in the Republic of Korea have had US backing.
The discussion touched on broader geopolitical implications, with Noh noting US concerns about potential changes to Republic of Korea's foreign policy if the opposition comes to power, particularly regarding relations with China and North Korea.
As of December 14th, President Yoon has been impeached by 204 votes, with 85 against, 3 abstentions and 8 invalid ballots, with the case now before the Constitutional Court. Noh cautioned that the political crisis is far from over, with significant domestic and international pressures likely to influence the outcome.
When reflecting upon the history regarding martial law in the Republic of Korea, KJ Noh in the discussion provided an important practical explanation about invoking this law.
“When you declare martial law in Korean context… It means that that person is declaring himself the military dictator of the country. It means literally everybody has been inducted. You are all now in the military. The military tells you what to do. No more political activity, no more party activity. Certainly no national assembly activity. No strikes, no assembly, no gatherings, certainly no media. Everything is censored. And so really kind of this totalitarian structure, as you would have in the military, has just come down on you like a black veil.”
When taking into account this context, one may admire the stamina and fortitude of the 190 National Assembly members that voted to rescind the martial law order. And one may ask them self’s if their political representatives will have the same stamina and fortitude when it comes to defending their society, and it’s genuine way of life. Not just an external, narrow perception of their country’s way of life.
These events may not be in our direct region, but given the element of US influence, they deserve some evaluation. The Great Southern Discussion Club is happy to see Jeff Rich and KJ Noh have this great conversation on The Burning Archive.
Watch the Discussion Here:
Notable Quotes:
"When you say the words martial law in the Korean language or emergency martial law decree, it creates this incredible association with disappearances, torture, mass graves, mass oppression."
"South Korea, you know, has kind of revealed itself not to be what it was sold as, that it was this kind of show pony of, you know, democratic transition. It was, you know, the kind of teacher's pet of US Imperialism, if you will."
"The history of Korea can be essentialized to a fight between patriots and traitors. Patriots are the ones who fought to decolonize Korea, fought against the Japanese and fought against imperialism and colonial domination."
"Anytime you hear the word deterrence by an American NatSec type, deterrence means aggression. Okay, just you. You have to do the substitution. Deterrence means aggression towards China."
"Each time the Koreans have thrown off their dictators, the US has put in another dictator right back in. This has been a kind of repetitive cycle in Korean history since. Since, you know, World War II."
Discussion FAQs:
Question: What is KJ Noh's background and expertise?
Answer: KJ Noh is a journalist, political analyst, writer, and teacher specializing in the geopolitics of the Asia-Pacific region. He has extensive knowledge of Korean history and current affairs, and regularly contributes to various progressive publications and media outlets.
Question: What is KJ Noh's view on the recent events in Republic of Korea?
Answer: KJ Noh views the recent martial law declaration attempt in Republic of Korea as part of a larger pattern of US influence and control over the country. He sees it as a legitimation crisis that reveals the fragility of Republic of Korea's democracy and its status as a US client state.
Question: Where can people find more of KJ Noh's work?
Answer: KJ Noh hosts a weekly show called "The China Report" on the Breakthrough News. He also writes for various progressive magazines and journals, including John Menadue's Pearls and Irritations, Counterpunch, Monthly Review Online, and LA Progressive. Additionally, he has conducted numerous interviews on the Sputnik Network, though he notes that his content may be difficult to find due to shadow banning on some platforms.
