By Trent Trepanier
A South Korean court has issued and extended an arrest warrant for former president, Yoon Suk-yuel, who initiated martial law on December 3rd in a failed coup attempt. This latest move follows the impeachment of both Yoon and his successor, the independent Han Duck-soo, the latter only being in office for two weeks. President Yoon’s declaration of martial law has been thought to be a means of evading corruption charges pertaining to both he and his wife. In his statement to the nation at the start of the crisis, Yoon claimed to be protecting the government and citizens from hostile forces influenced by North Korea which aimed to paralyze the workings of the state. The consequences were made possible by not only the opposition Democratic Party controlling the National Assembly, but by demonstrations of South Korean citizens taking to the streets in the wake of Yoon’s martial law order.
The road to Unity will be filled with challenges and those who seek power for their own self-interest, even if it comes at the cost of the common interest. Yoon’s scapegoating of North Korean influence is testament to how corruption can lead political figures to try and exploit divisions in the world. We strive for the democratization of power, which means citizens both within and beyond national boundaries must be able and willing to bring real pressure to bear on those in power when it is abused. We ought also to be in constant solidarity with those fighting for their freedoms, the rule of law, and self-determination, even if they are doing so against the leaders of their own state. The situation in Seoul demonstrates the importance both of citizens showing up in the streets when their country needs it most, but also of the importance of having politicians within the state who can counter such flagrant abuses of power. The example set by the Democratic Party and South Korea’s brave citizens should serve as a rallying cry and example of what Unity can look like in action.
The political crisis in South Korea has not ended, and we demand the government provide a fair trial for all those involved in the attempted subverting of democratic rule. By sharing the stories of those in the streets and translating these into petitions to policymakers in our own countries we can continue to bring international pressure and build networks which can help make such attempts in the future all but impossible. In this fight we also encourage all likeminded people to join our party to run in elections for offices at all levels of the state. With members on city councils up to Secretary General of the United Nations, which is being sought by our co-founded Colombe Cahen-Salvador, we can ensure our elected policymakers are also difference makers acting in our interests and for our survival.