A CNN correspondent has compared the political unrest erupting in South Korea to what the future of America could be if Donald Trump returns to the White House.
MJ Lee on Tuesday discussed South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol’s decision to declare martial law — a move that led to rampant protests and civil unrest centered in Seoul.
Just hours later, Yoon announced he would withdraw the statement and withdrew in a stunning standoff with parliament, which rejected his bid to ban political activity and censor the media.
In an effort to provide context on the political situation in South Korea, Lee referenced Trump’s recent election victory and suggested that Washington DC could eventually become like Seoul under his presidency.
She pointed out that the introduction of martial law – a temporary measure that replaces civilian government with military rule – is “an important thing that Americans should pay attention to, especially considering that Donald Trump is about to become president .’
Lee said Trump is “someone who has said he wants to use the military to go after his own enemies.”
During the panel discussion, John Bresnahan, co-founder of Punchbowl News, chimed in to echo Lee’s sentiment.
“He has encouraged the use of violence to achieve political goals,” Bresnahan said. “The parallels to January 6, just the image of a democracy facing these kinds of crises, I think this is something that people fear, or those kinds of Democrats fear when they think about Trump’s return. ‘
MJ Lee discussed South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and his decision to declare martial law, saying America could erupt into similar chaos under Donald Trump’s presidency
During the panel discussion, Lee and John Bresnahan said Trump has called on the military to go after his enemies
South Korea erupted into chaos after Yoon made the controversial announcement, with protesters swarming Seoul
Lee, a native of South Korea, continued, “The reason this is going to be so emotionally shocking for people in Korea is because this isn’t really a distant history. The fact that things like this can happen on the streets of Seoul.
‘People from my parents’ generation – and certainly from my grandparents’ generation – experienced this.’
She said South Korea has become “one of the most important democratic countries” that others “consider as a model.”
Yoon initially claimed that his reasoning for declaring martial law was a necessary measure to protect South Korea from “communist forces” in North Korea and “anti-state” actors at home.
“I declare martial law to protect the free Republic of Korea from the threat of North Korean communist forces, to eradicate the despicable pro-North Korean anti-state forces that are plundering the freedom and happiness of our people, and to protect the free constitutional power. order,” Yoon said on Tuesday.
He then accused his country’s opposition of trying to control the government through anti-state activities, before asking his citizens to “believe in him” and “tolerate some inconveniences.”
Yoon added: “Without regard to the people’s livelihood, the opposition party has paralyzed the government solely for the sake of impeachment, special investigations and protecting their leader from justice.
Bresnahan noted “parallels” between the chaos in South Korea and the January 6 riots
Protesters cheered ‘We won’ after the National Assembly called on Yoon to lift martial law just six hours after he imposed it
“Through this martial law, I will rebuild and protect the free Republic of Korea, which is in the depths of national ruin.”
In response to the announcement, demonstrators swarmed the streets and headed to the parliament buildings in Seoul, where they were met by riot police, armed police and the National Assembly.
All political activities were banned in South Korea under martial law. All media should be controlled by the government, martial law commander Park An-su said in a statement.
“All political activities, including those of the National Assembly, local councils, political parties and political associations, as well as meetings and demonstrations, are strictly prohibited,” he said.
The Yonhap news agency also confirmed that citizens can be arrested without a warrant.
According to the Associated Press, Yoon is the first president to declare martial law since the country’s democratization in 1987.
It was voted down unanimously by all 190 MPs.
In response to the lifting of martial law shortly after Yoon initiated it, demonstrators cheered and chanted “We won!”
Television footage showed soldiers stationed in parliament leaving the grounds after the vote.
Cho Kuk, head of a small opposition party, met protesters outside parliament and said: “This is not over yet. He shocked all the people.”
He promised to oust Yoon by bringing together votes from other parties.
Soldiers attempt to enter the National Assembly building after Yoon Suk Yeol declares martial law
Yoon is the first president to declare martial law since the country’s democratization in 1987
Yoon was a career prosecutor and was elected in May 2022 with a margin of less than one percent.
He is unpopular; his support figures have been hovering around 20 percent for months.
His People Power Party (PPP) suffered defeat in the parliamentary elections in April this year.
Yoon’s popularity has fallen mainly because he rejected calls for an independent investigation into scandals involving his wife and top officials.