Title: Preparing for the worst: On Cyclone Fengal, the future
South Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol’s surprise announcement of martial law on Tuesday night (December 3, 2024) was a shocker for Koreans, including members of his own conservative People Power Party, for whom memories of the military dictatorship, a dark, violent phase in the country’s history, are still afresh. Mr. Yoon, a former prosecutor, said he was issuing the martial law “to protect free South Korea from the North Korean communist forces, eliminate shameless pro-North Korean and anti-state forces”. In reality, the unpopular President, who is grappling with a parliamentary deadlock, was seeking greater powers for himself and to crush his political opposition. But by embracing the extreme measure, Mr. Yoon shot himself in the foot. The declaration triggered street protests, while lawmakers assembled in the Parliament building braving security personnel and voted 190-0 against the measure. Following the vote and faced with an explosion of public anger, Mr. Yoon reversed his decision and the personnel were withdrawn. The opposition has moved an impeachment motion against Mr. Yoon. If the vote passes with a two-thirds majority, his powers would be revoked and he would be put on trial.
Mr. Yoon’s grip on power has always been shaky. While he won the presidency on a threadbare margin in 2022, the opposition Democratic Party (DP) took control of the National Assembly. In late 2022, after a Halloween crowd crush in Seoul claimed 159 lives, the government’s handling of the tragedy was widely criticised. Earlier this year, doctors went on strike, citing their ‘harsh” working conditions and demanding higher pay. Mr. Yoon’s wife was caught on camera accepting a luxury handbag as a gift — a scandal which continues to haunt his government. In April this year, the DP retained its control of the National Assembly with a greater victory. Mr. Yoon’s approval rating fell below 20%, while the opposition kept blocking his legislative push at the assembly, the latest showdown being about the budget Bill. Public resentment mounted amid a housing crisis and high unemployment. Under pressure, Mr. Yoon chose to launch a frontal attack on South Korea’s democracy. His sudden turnaround in the face of protests and legislative pushback is a reprieve for South Koreans. But the fact that political infighting led to the President declaring martial law, despite a violent history, itself points to the deeper problems the country is facing. It took years of street protests to bring the military dictatorship, known for its ruthless, vindictive rule, to an end in the 1980s and start the democratisation process. Any attempt to reverse the hard-won gains of the democratic period should be resisted forcefully. Mr. Yoon should not prolong his unpopular regime. He should resign without waiting for the impeachment proceedings and let the country elect a new leader.
Meaning of the word:
| Word | Meaning | Synonyms | Antonyms |
| Conservative | The term “conservative” can have different meanings depending on the context in which it is used. | Traditionalist Cautious Moderate Reserved | Progressive Liberal Radical Revolutionary |
| Revoked | The term “revoked” means to officially cancel, withdraw, or take back something, especially a decision, agreement, or legal right. | Canceled Rescinded Withdrawn Annulled | Granted Approved Authorized Enacted |
| Resentment | “Resentment” refers to a strong feeling of bitterness, anger, or displeasure caused by a sense of being wronged, unfairly treated, or insulted. | Bitterness Grudge Anger Indignation | Contentment Forgiveness Happiness Goodwill |
