Conservative President Yoon Seok-yeol has rescinded his declaration of martial law in the face of enormous opposition from the left-dominated National Assembly as well as fellow conservative lawmakers and a large swath of the citizenry. Troops have been seen departing from the National Assembly building in Yeouido after having been told to stand down.
Yoon’s popularity began to drop as soon as he assumed his role as president. Some of the reason may have been his perceived mistakes; other reasons are undoubtedly linked to relentless opposition and lawfare from leftist politicians intent on stopping Yoon's conservative agenda. Scandals, true or manufactured, have been a hallmark of his lone term in office (Korean presidents serve only one 5-year term). Yoon’s famously over-surgeried wife has herself been involved in several scandals (Dior bag, influence peddling, stocks).
What happens from here? Yoon is hampered by a fickle South Korean public as well as by a vociferous leftist opposition; people are calling for him to step down. If he can manage a deal granting him and his wife immunity with minimal financial penalties, he might want to consider stepping down as an option.
Please note that these are merely my thoughts. I am not a journalist and have, at best, a child's grasp of South Korean politics. From my limited perch, it seems clear that Yoon lacks the mandate of the people, and he has neither the savvy nor the legal firepower to turn the situation to his advantage. I wish him luck, but this sudden outburst had the feeling of a man desperately flailing. Maybe the left's unceasing assaults on him and his associates finally got to him; maybe there's something legitimately scandalous going on. I don't know, and I think the Korean general public doesn't know, either.
At least I'll be able to finish my walk without worrying about a curfew.
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