On the rumors of preparations for martial law in South Korea
A South Korean opposition leader has publicly claimed that the government is preparing to impose martial law and then stage a coup d’état—accusations that have attracted a great deal of comment in the country. But how seriously should all this be taken?
The beginning of the scandal
Then, in a September 1 meeting with ruling People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon, opposition leader Lee Jae-myung claimed that the government planned to declare martial law in the country and arrest members of the National Assembly. The meeting was broadcast live, so rumors spread like wildfire.
The authorities and the ruling party reacted immediately and indignantly. “We are appalled that the leader of a major political party would spread fabricated rumors on live television,” government administration spokeswoman Jeong Hye-jeon said at a press conference on September 2, demanding that Lee Jae-myung provide evidence for his claim and suggesting that the opposition leader is spreading the rumors as part of a propaganda campaign aimed at securing the impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol. Ms. Joeong noted that if there is no evidence, the Democratic Party should be labeled the “party of fake news.”
The Democrats’ arguments
In addition to the classic “Yoon Suk-yeol is EVIL and capable of doing anything to undermine democracy” style rhetoric, the Democrats are pointing to a number of recent appointments. For example, Yoon appointed his former security chief Kim Yong-hyun as defense minister and Yeo In-hyung as head of the Defense Counterintelligence Command. And Kim, Yeo, and Yoon are all graduates of the same high school. A clear sign of corruption!
In addition, Yoon has recently often accused the opposition bloc of being “anti-state forces,” alleging that they want to plunge the country into chaos. There are no other supporting arguments, not even information from “anonymous sources.”
Memories of the “military conspiracy”
In early July 2018, South Korea’s........
© New Eastern Outlook
visit website