AP "Han Gye-eomsatae, a Victory and Crisis of Democracy"

Martial Law Ended by National Assembly Vote "Show the Power of Checks and Balances"
"Similar Situations May Occur in Trump's Second Term"

Foreign media analysis described the 12·3 emergency martial law incident, which ended in six hours, as "a victory for Korean democracy and simultaneously a sign of a global crisis."

On the 7th, the day of the vote on the impeachment motion against President Yoon Seok-yeol, citizens are urging the impeachment of President Yoon in front of the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul. Photo by Kang Jin-hyeong

On the 8th (local time), the Associated Press (AP) published an analytical article titled "What does the preservation of Korean democracy after a six-hour power game imply for democracies in other countries?" The article evaluated it as "a hard-won victory for democracy and a triumph of the principle of checks and balances written by the Founding Fathers of the United States in the 1788 Federalist Papers."

Regarding the emergency martial law, AP stated, "President Yoon Seok-yeol's authoritarian actions, sending helicopters and armored vehicles to the National Assembly, evoke memories of past dictatorship eras," and explained, "Thousands of citizens gathered in front of the National Assembly, shouting for the lifting of martial law and the president's resignation, but no clashes were reported between the military and police." Above all, AP emphasized that the participation of citizens who visited the National Assembly late at night played a significant role in resolving the incident. However, AP also diagnosed that "while a drama unfolded in Seoul, the foundation of democracy worldwide was shaken," suggesting that this incident may reflect the threats currently facing democracy.

President Yoon Suk-yeol declared martial law on the night of the 3rd, and in the early morning of the 4th, martial law troops are attempting to enter the main building of the National Assembly. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

In particular, AP stated that President Yoon's attempt to halt the National Assembly using the military fits the definition of a "praetorian coup," and noted that such coups are increasing globally. According to joint research by Carnegie Mellon University and Pennsylvania State University, out of 46 praetorian coups since 1945, 10 occurred in the past decade. Moreover, the success rate of these coups is about 80%. Regarding this, AP pointed out that Yoon's emergency martial law incident "might have succeeded in other countries," and "other authoritarian leaders may have been better prepared than President Yoon."

Meanwhile, AP noted concerns within the United States that a similar event could occur during a potential second Trump administration. Furthermore, in a polarized society like the U.S., where President-elect Donald Trump enjoys strong support from Republicans, there might be no public participation or opposition from the minority party as seen in Korea, the military could be mobilized, and the National Assembly might not hold a vote to lift martial law. AP also introduced the fact that during a live broadcast last year, when Trump was asked to promise not to abuse power or use the presidency for retaliation, he replied, "Except for the first day."