In response to President Yoon Suk Yeol of South Korea’s imposition of martial law on Dec. 3, the Kroc Institute for Peace Studies held a flash panel titled “A Stand for Democracy in South Korea” on Tuesday afternoon in Jenkins-Nanovic Hall to discuss the use of martial law’s social, economic and political implications.
Speakers included Hayun Cho, assistant professor of East Asian Languages and Cultures; Yong Suk Lee, associate professor of technology, economy and global affairs; George Lopez, professor emeritus of peace studies; Sun-Chul Kim, climate justice organizer and author of “Democratization and Social Movements in South Korea” (who spoke via Zoom); and Sharon Yoon, associate professor of Korean studies, who moderated the talk.
The panel opened with an overview of the recent events, detailing the law, only in effect for a few hours before the congressional assembly voted unanimously to overturn the martial law. Panelists also explained reporting of an impeachment trial and subsequent prosecution as a result of the imposition by the President.
They then shifted to a discussion of the historical significance of a martial law declaration in South Korea. “Yoon’s declaration of martial law is the first since the 1980s, and is only declared in a state of war or national emergency, neither of which were relevant,” Cho explained.
Cho then went on to reference a novel, Human Acts by Han Kang, which she said poised an essential question: “How can people remain in such heavy opposition to violence, yet continue to be so violent?”
When asked about the upcoming political repercussions for President Yoon, Lee said, “I think it is safe to say that many have lost confidence in their government, regardless of political party affiliation.”
To explain why the president would sacrifice his political career through this action, Lee took a broad perspective and suggested that abstract behaviors from political leaders among a multitude of nations are becoming increasingly consistent.
“This is not that uncommon around the world, and even now we are beginning to see it in the United States as well,” Lee added.
With the notion of political unrest rising amongst leaders between nations, Kim expressed the rising need for domestic political balance in the South Korean National Assembly.
“The understanding that martial law is unlawful, and on those grounds, even his own political party members do not see connections that they should maintain with him in order to survive politically,” Kim said.
In regards to economic factors, Lopez expressed his concerns for the South Korean economy as a result of his observations of financial indicators.
“I look particularly at economic indicators. Forbes had looked, earlier this fall, at the stability of economic growth in South Korea. Since the declaration of martial law, there has already been a declining sense of public confidence, which is directed in economic terms,” Lopez said.
