Could Washington feel like Seoul in 12 months? South Korea's short-lived regime of martial law this week showed how quickly any country can descend into autocracy. Some describe it as a warning ahead of Trump's second term as the most powerful man in the world.
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South Korea ‘warning for Trump’s USA’
Could Washington feel like Seoul in 12 months? South Korea's short-lived regime of martial law this week showed how quickly any country can descend into autocracy. Some describe it as a warning ahead of Trump's second term as the most powerful man in the world.
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Just after midnight, South Korea's President Yoon made a televised announcement that sent the country into turmoil.
He warned that the country was on the verge of collapse, and announced that he would impose martial lawThe temporary suspension of civil law and its replacement with direct military control of society and its institutions. in response to "anti-state" opposition forces which he claims sympathise with North Korea.
Many think the declaration was little more than an attempt to seize back power and turn South Korea into an autocracyA society ruled by a single person or group with absolute power..
But it was short-lived as 190 of South Korea's 300 MPs voted the period of emergency martial law over after just two hours and 48 minutes.
It might as well be a description of the future USA. With a second Trump presidency incoming, many think this will not be the only uprising we see in the coming months.
And some fear that it would be harder to disarm a power-hungry Trump.
Could Washington feel like Seoul in 12 months?
Yes! Trump has already expressed his willingness to become an autocratic leader who does not have to defer to democratic institutions.
No! The USA has strong constitutional protections in place to ensure that no single person can destroy its democracy.
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Keywords
Martial law - The temporary suspension of civil law and its replacement with direct military control of society and its institutions.
Autocracy - A society ruled by a single person or group with absolute power.
South Korea ‘warning for Trump’s USA’
Defiant: South Koreans protest outside their parliament (above) after their president suddenly declared martial law this week. “Democracy isn’t supposed to work like this. Trust between the people and the government is essential, but this administration has none of that,” said one. Glossary
Martial law - The temporary suspension of civil law and its replacement with direct military control of society and its institutions.
Autocracy - A society ruled by a single person or group with absolute power.