Tag: South Korea

How Tense Is the Political Climate in South Korea?

Western media often portray South Korea as a model success story in Asia. The nation thrives across multiple dimensions, a robust economy, a functioning democracy, and global cultural influence—drawing comparisons to the United States. Its steadfast alliance with the U.S. further strengthens this narrative. However, recent events have exposed cracks in this success story, particularly within South Korea’s political landscape. Polarization and volatility have reached toxic levels, posing serious challenges to the country’s democratic framework. The situation worsened when President Yoon made the controversial decision to declare martial law, seemingly on impulse, triggering widespread protests.

In democracies where voters elect the president and parliament separately, political rifts often arise when opposing parties control the two branches. This defines South Korea’s current political struggles.

President Yoon Suk Yeol, a conservative leader from the People Power Party, currently holds the presidency while facing a parliament led by the opposition Liberal Democratic Party. Although Yoon lacks a parliamentary majority, he has the authority to appoint the government, resulting in an administration run by his party, which is in the minority in parliament. Any decision made by the president or the ruling party requires parliamentary approval, but the opposition-dominated legislature consistently blocks their initiatives.

Yoon, relatively new to politics despite his reputation as a well-known prosecutor, struggles to navigate this challenging situation. Narrowly elected in 2022 as a candidate for a party founded just two years earlier, he has faced widespread criticism for his confrontational rhetoric and polarizing comments, particularly against the opposition. These actions have only deepened the political divide and fueled ongoing disruptions.

The political situation worsened as South Korea’s economy faltered, living conditions deteriorated, and wages stagnated, sparking ongoing protests such as the doctor’s strike. Many believe the growing divide between parliament and the president has hindered swift action to stabilize the economy and implement effective policies. Polls show that this dissatisfaction has impacted the president more than the opposition. Yoon’s People Power Party struggled to gain traction in the recent parliamentary election, leaving the opposition in a stronger position.

The president and parliament openly blamed each other for the country’s economic struggles, with both sides accusing the other of complicity. The rivalry extended beyond economic issues—Yoon accused the opposition of having ties to North Korea, while the opposition alleged he harbored admiration for imperial Japan, the country that once colonized Korea. Tensions escalated further as parliament slashed the government’s budget, and investigations into alleged corruption involving Yoon’s wife added to the political turmoil.

The situation reached a breaking point when Yoon declared martial law last Tuesday night, deploying the military to block opposition members from entering parliament and attempting to suppress dissent. After hours of confrontation, the opposition passed a resolution to lift martial law. By early morning, Yoon abruptly ended the decree. This dramatic series of events exposed the intensity of the rivalry between the president and the opposition, as well as the fragility and volatility of South Korea’s political system, on a single chaotic night.

The night and following day were marked by widespread calls for President Yoon’s resignation, with the international community largely expecting it. However, the situation grew more complex. While members of the ruling party condemned the imposition of martial law, they opposed the president’s resignation. Meanwhile, massive public protests flooded the streets, and the opposition began impeachment proceedings. Although the opposition holds a parliamentary majority, some twists and turns are expected if he is not ready to agree to the procedure.

Despite the ruling party’s opposition to impeachment, the opposition remains confident it will pass. All eyes are now on President Yoon, with speculation about how he will respond—whether with restraint or another impulsive action. The main opposition Democratic Party has scheduled an impeachment vote for Saturday evening. Meanwhile, the national police have launched an investigation into Yoon after opposition leaders and activists filed allegations of insurrection. The political climate in South Korea is intensely heated this winter, with protests from both sides and the potential for more dramatic actions, echoing the chaos of the night South Korea fell under martial law. Kim Jong Un will likely enjoy this K-drama.

December 6, 2024
How Yoon’s Mad Night Revived an ’80s Vibe in South Korea

The dramatic! That is the perfect word to describe what happened in South Korea yesterday—a confusing political drama that surpasses even the best Korean dramas. The so-called ‘evil president’ seized power, orchestrating a coup under the guise of military law. He executed his plan with precision.

To restore democracy, parliament needed to convene, and opposition lawmakers had to pass a resolution. Security forces sealed off the National Assembly, helicopters landed on its roof, and troops briefly entered the building, seemingly to prevent lawmakers from gathering. However, despite numerous clashes and overcoming significant barriers, 190 lawmakers managed to enter the assembly. They voted unanimously to reject Yoon’s declaration and demanded that martial law be lifted.

What a story! Thrilling, awe-inspiring, and, with a satisfying “The End”. But it wasn’t as smooth as it sounds when it actually happened.

South Korea, officially known as the Republic of Korea, distinguishes itself from North Korea, the People’s Democratic Republic, through its commitment to democracy. South Koreans take pride in being both a republic and a democracy. Although South Korea has been a republic since 1948, it only emerged as a stable democracy with the inauguration of Roh Tae-woo in 1988, after 40 years of military rule. Before this shift, South Korea’s democracy closely resembled the flawed systems seen in many other Asian countries. Millennials and younger generations, who never experienced this authoritarian era, have only known a stable democratic society. Yet, events under Yoon’s leadership have brought back an uncanny echo of the 1980s, offering them a glimpse of a past they never lived through.

President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law on Tuesday night, accusing the opposition of being forces that threaten the country’s democracy, a common tactic used by authoritarian regimes to consolidate power. Following his dramatic television address, a six-point decree from the new martial law commander, Army Chief Gen. Park An-su, was issued. The decree banned political activities and parties, prohibited “False Propaganda,” and banned strikes and gatherings that could incite social unrest. The decree also placed all media outlets under martial law authority and ordered all medical staff, including striking doctors, to return to work within 48 hours. Yoon stated he was acting to protect the country’s liberal democracy from threats by anti-state elements and North Korea, though he provided little detail.

The declaration was immediately condemned by both the opposition and the leader of Yoon’s own party. The leader of Yoon’s conservative People Power Party called the decision to impose martial law a mistake. Lee Jae-myung, the opposition leader who narrowly lost to Yoon in the 2022 presidential election, described the announcement as illegal and unconstitutional. South Korea’s main opposition party, led by Lee, denounced the move as essentially a coup d’état. Six hours later, Yoon backed down, or was forced to back down, lifting the order in the face of united opposition. After six hours of declaring martial law at 4:30AM, Yoon announced that troops would return to their barracks, and the order would be lifted following a cabinet meeting.

What is the real cause behind Yoon’s actions? So far, his statements have reflected typical authoritarian rhetoric. He faced backlash in the recent parliamentary elections, where the opposition party gained a majority. It seems that he did not expect or accept this outcome, and the growing divide between him and parliament created significant tension. The announcement of martial law likely stemmed from these differences, along with a deepening budget dispute between Yoon and the opposition Democratic Party. This struggle led to widespread public disapproval and followed a dramatic drop in Yoon’s approval rating to 19% in the latest Gallup poll, with significant dissatisfaction over his handling of the economy and ongoing controversies involving his wife, Kim Keon-hee. This explanation seems more plausible than the false claims he made.

It’s only a matter of time before Yoon steps down, as public opposition intensifies. Recent reports indicate that opposition parties have initiated impeachment proceedings in parliament, and even if Yoon’s own conservative People Power Party were to stand by him, they lack the numbers in the legislature. His dramatic actions have likely set the stage for his eventual downfall.

What can happen in a single night? South Koreans woke up to find the country had plunged into martial law, resembling a coup, only to return to normal by morning—a stunning turn of events. What a night it was.

December 4, 2024
South Korea’s Top Court Rules for Stronger Climate Action

Climate laws aimed at curbing global warming, ensuring carbon neutrality, and accelerating the transition to green energy are facing significant backlash from various groups. There are calls from right-wing politicians, activists, and conspiracy theorists on social media to scrap these laws, arguing that they negatively impact businesses and burden taxpayers. Meanwhile, another group is pushing for even stricter climate regulations, despite potential consequences for businesses and daily life. These opposing views have led to clashes online, spilled into the streets, influenced political debates, and are now being contested in the courts.

South Korea’s Constitutional Court has sided with those advocating for stronger climate measures, ruling that parts of the nation’s climate law do not adequately protect the constitutional rights of future generations. This decision, described by local activists as groundbreaking, reflects a similar verdict in Germany and concludes four years of legal disputes, establishing an important precedent for climate litigation in the region. The court found that the lack of legally binding greenhouse gas reduction targets for 2031 to 2049 violates the constitutional rights of future generations and fails to fulfill the government’s obligation to protect these rights. The court stressed that the absence of long-term targets places an unfair burden on future generations and has ordered the National Assembly and government to revise the law to include these targets by February 28, 2026. As a result, the government is now under pressure to act.

South Korea’s Carbon Neutral Act, established in 2010, initially aimed to cut carbon emissions by at least 35 percent by 2030 from 2018 levels. The government has since raised this target to a 40 percent reduction. However, critics contend that this revised goal remains inadequate for effectively addressing climate change. Since 2020, the Constitutional Court has been evaluating complaints from over 250 individuals; one-third of whom were children or teenagers at the time of filing – who claim that the government’s greenhouse gas reduction targets and strategies are partially unconstitutional and inadequate to safeguard the rights of citizens, especially future generations.

South Korea’s climate litigation began in March 2020 when Youth 4 Climate Action, the Korean branch of the global school climate strike movement, filed the first lawsuit. Activists, including Kim Seo-gyeong from Youth 4 Climate Action, see the court’s decision as the beginning of a renewed push for more ambitious climate action. Kim emphasized that addressing the climate crisis requires reducing its risks, managing factors that could worsen the situation, and establishing safety nets to support life and society.

However, the court rejected the plaintiffs’ claim that the government’s 2030 target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40% from 2018 levels, as set out in the country’s carbon neutrality act, violated constitutional rights. The court considered this near-term goal sufficient but found that the law’s lack of specific emission reduction targets for the years between 2031 and 2050 – when the country aims to achieve carbon neutrality – violated the constitutional rights of future generations.

On Thursday, South Korea’s Ministry of Environment announced that it respects the court’s ruling and will take appropriate follow-up actions. Sejong Youn, a solicitor representing all four litigation cases, emphasized that the core issue of unconstitutionality stemmed from reduction targets that imposed an excessive burden without adequately considering the rights of future generations. He stressed that a revised greenhouse gas reduction plan addressing these concerns must be presented within the timeframe set by the court.

This landmark ruling is poised to reverberate far beyond South Korea’s borders, potentially shaping climate litigation and policy across Asia, with countries like Japan and Taiwan already grappling with similar legal battles. One might observe that, for now at least, climate activists appear to be gaining the upper hand in the courtroom, outmaneuvering their climate change-denying counterparts.

August 31, 2024
North Korean Diplomats Escape to the South, Continuing After an Interval

North Korea has been reported as a tough place for its officials to live, with many reports and rumors about missing officials who may be imprisoned or executed. If it is difficult for officials, it is even harder for common people. It is common for people from North Korea to escape the regime and flee to South Korea, even though transportation and information exchange between the two Koreas seem almost impossible. North Korea has tried everything to fortify its borders, with tight control over anything going in or out. The country’s athletes and diplomats are under strict surveillance when traveling abroad. But interestingly, Reports of officials refusing to return and attempting to escape have been reported many times. Diplomats stationed in various countries often disconnect from the regime’s radar and flee to South Korea, this was a common occurrence until almost six years ago. However, tighter scrutiny in the selection of diplomats and the closing of loopholes have restricted such defections. But at a time when South and North Korea’s relationship has worsened due to the notorious “Balloon War”, news has emerged of a senior North Korean diplomat escaping to South Korea. A tool can be used by the South to humiliate North Korea.

According to reports, a senior North Korean diplomat based in Cuba defected to South Korea in November, becoming the highest-ranking North Korean diplomat to escape to the South since 2016. The diplomat, Ri Il-kyu, who was on a critical foreign mission for Pyongyang, joined North Korea’s foreign ministry in 1999 and received a commendation from North Korean leader Kim Jong-un for successfully negotiating the release of a North Korean ship detained in Panama for carrying arms from Cuba in 2013. Without providing further details, South Korea’s National Intelligence Service confirmed an earlier report by the Chosun Ilbo newspaper. One of Ri Il-kyu’s roles at the embassy was to prevent North Korea’s rival South Korea and old ally Cuba from establishing diplomatic ties, the newspaper reported. In February, the two countries did establish diplomatic relations, which was a significant blow to North Korea.

Details on North Korean defections often take months to come to light, as defectors need to be cleared by authorities and undergo a course of education about South Korean society and systems. He shared with the newspaper that his decision to defect stemmed from disillusionment with the regime and unfair evaluations of his work. He noted that every North Korean contemplates living in South Korea at least once, driven by disillusionment with the regime and a bleak outlook. He also expressed that North Koreans desire reunification more than South Koreans, believing it to be the only path for their children to have a better future. He mentioned that he flew out of Cuba with his family but did not elaborate further on how he managed the high-risk escape.

The difference between South Korea and North Korea is widening. South Korea boasts a large economy, ranked 14th worldwide, with a GDP per capita around $35,000, one of the highest in Asia. Its job market offers many opportunities, and its soft power, through K-pop and K-dramas, is expanding globally. In contrast, North Korea has a nominal GDP per capita of only $900, forty times lower than South Korea, making it one of the poorest countries on the continent. Living conditions, freedom of expression, and other aspects of life are tightly restricted under its communist regime. These factors contribute to North Koreans fleeing to the South. In 2023, 196 North Korean defectors came to Seoul, according to South Korean government data. Most recent defectors, like diplomat Ri, had long lived overseas, human rights activists say.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol said they are committed to providing increased financial support for North Korean defectors and offering tax incentives to companies that employ them at the inaugural North Korean Defectors’ Day ceremony. This commitment is expected to unsettle North Korea, prompting tighter control over its diplomats. However, it is evident that North Korea cannot conceal these changes indefinitely.

July 17, 2024
South Korea Joins the Race for Minerals in Central Asia

Central Asia now resembles a woman whom everyone desires to engage with. As the curtains imposed by the Soviet Union and Russia are loosening, Central Asia is starting to expose itself to the world. More and more countries are making diplomatic efforts with Central Asian countries to secure valuable mineral resources, including lithium, which is considered the “Vibranium” of the electric vehicle era, to benefit their economies.

While Russia dominated Central Asia for three decades after the region broke away from the Soviet Union, they did not put much effort into utilizing the mineral resources that could have brought wealth to these countries. Instead, Russia bound them with political influence, which damaged their relationships with the West and hindered investments that could have funded projects. As a result, these countries remained poor despite having valuable mineral resources.

The entry of China, which has a voracious appetite for minerals as raw materials for its vast manufacturing hubs, marked a significant shift. By leveraging its friendship with Russia, China started to explore the potential of Central Asia. Their investment through the Belt and Road Initiative became a wake-up call for Central Asian countries to welcome parties other than Russia, leading to more opportunities.

Following Russia’s war in Ukraine and its subsequent weakening, Central Asian countries are now eagerly looking to collaborate with multiple parties. The United States has launched efforts to facilitate integration with these countries, aiming to reduce Russia’s influence. Turkey, which already maintains emotional ties to Central Asia, and India, aspiring to become a superpower, are also setting up measures to explore opportunities in the region. Additionally, South Korea, a small resource-poor country with a large production sector highly reliant on mineral imports, is the latest entrant seeking opportunities in Central Asia.

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol is currently on a trip to Central Asia, starting Monday, to hold talks on strengthening diplomatic ties and cooperating in areas such as energy and minerals. Yoon already visited Turkmenistan, a country largely isolated from the outside world but rich in important minerals, with the first lady for a state visit before heading to Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. In Kazakhstan, Yoon discussed with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev measures to expand supply chain cooperation for critical minerals such as lithium and uranium, which are in high demand for the technology industry in South Korea. Yoon’s office announced the signing of 35 memorandums of understanding (MOUs) in areas such as supply chain cooperation and lithium exploration and commercialization. The trip started in the Turkmen capital of Ashgabat and will conclude in Uzbekistan.

While for Central Asia, Korea is another important partner to invest in and improve infrastructure, Yoon’s trip to Central Asia represents Seoul’s latest global effort to expand diplomatic ties and partnerships, aiming to secure access to markets, energy supplies, and other resources. Yoon’s office announced plans to host a summit with leaders of five Central Asian countries next year in South Korea. It’s interesting that the United States, Seoul’s key ally, has assured a similar plan in Central Asia, aiming to create a bloc that can counter political and economic dependence on Russia. While the United States has made deals with Central Asia, the benefits will also naturally extend to Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea, as they are key allies of the United States in Asia. However, South Korea has taken an additional step in its relationship; it represents the country, booming with electronics, batteries, and semiconductors, placing high value on its relationship with Central Asian countries.

Many believe South Korea is counteracting China’s influence in the region. Like China, South Korea is warming diplomatic relationships and leading summits with countries that can contribute to its economy and where it can introduce its soft power. Before leaving for Central Asia, Yoon declared a policy vision, the “K-Silk Road,” which he said would combine South Korea’s technical expertise with Central Asia’s resource wealth. And it must be considered as the continuation of South Korea’s hosting of its first summit with the leaders of 48 African nations this month, during which it vowed to increase development aid for Africa to $10 billion over the next six years as it looks to tap the continent’s mineral resources and potential as an export market.

South Korea’s entry is definitely a hopeful sign for Central Asia. The region, rich in resources but lacking the necessary investments and infrastructure, can benefit significantly from South Korea’s involvement and reduce its reliance on Chinese money, which has already created dependency. In return, resource-poor South Korea can gain an advantage in the global race for technology domination. However, South Korea has taken an additional step in its relationship; it represents the country, booming with electronics, batteries, and semiconductors, placing high value on its relationship with Central Asian countries.

In recent years, South Korea has experienced shortages of key materials, including graphite and urea solution, when China decided to restrict exports. In both cases, authorities scrambled to find alternative sources to limit disruptions to businesses. Thus, it has become crucial for Korea to seek new sources, then why not untapped Central Asia?

June 14, 2024
The Balloon War is Heating Up in Korea

When considering one of the most tense borders, the border between the Koreas undoubtedly stands out. The democratic Republic of Korea, also known as South Korea, and the Communist Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, widely referred to as North Korea, epitomize the poignant saga of separated brethren, yet remain in an unyielding state of division. Both Koreas yearn for reunification, but they are adamant about maintaining their respective ruling systems, which presents a significant obstacle.

Each Korea employs various tactics to influence people on the other side and aims for reunification. Previous military efforts in the 1950s culminated in the famous Korean War. Now, with both countries heavily armed and allied with powerful nations, war is not a viable option. Both sides understand that conflict would lead to regional collapse. Instead, they employ different strategies, one of which involves balloons. Yes, balloons are used as a weapon in a “Balloon War”, but not a lethal one. As air flows freely across both Koreas and balloons are used as a tool, South Koreans utilize them to convey information to North Koreans, who live under a tightly controlled regime that restricts access to external information sources. North Korea views this practice seriously, as it can heavily influence its people, and thus, they denounce this act as littering on their land. This tactic has undoubtedly heightened tensions between these two hostile neighbors or estranged brothers.

The propaganda mission from South Korean activists turned into a “balloon war” when North Korea sent balloons back with waste, including litter and human waste. The balloon war is intensifying, according to the latest reports. According to South Korean media, last Thursday, the Free North Korea Movement, a group of North Korean defectors, declared that it had dispatched 10 large balloons filled with 200,000 leaflets criticizing the regime of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, along with US dollar bills and flash drives loaded with K-pop. The group further disclosed its dispatch of balloons loaded with approximately 2,000 USB flash drives containing songs by South Korean singer Lim Young-woong, along with other K-pop songs and K-dramas, into North Korea on May 10. This action potentially triggered the recent surge of garbage-filled balloons in the opposite direction.

In retaliation, North Korea released almost 1,000 balloons containing rubbish, cigarette butts, and what appeared to be excrement to protest the groups in the South. There are reports that fears are growing that the North could resume its “Dirty” campaign in response to the activists actions. According to South Korea’s Yonhap news agency, North Korea was ready to dispatch “One hundred times the quantity of toilet paper and filth” it had previously used against the South.

There was a brief period when South Koreans avoided the balloon mission after the South Korean government banned the process of disturbing their neighbor. However, the court later scrapped the ban, leading to further escalation of the balloon mission from the South. North Korea’s actions have only intensified the situation. The tit-for-tat balloon campaign or balloon war has deteriorated bilateral relations, leading South Korea’s president, Yoon Suk Yeol, to suspend a 2018 agreement aimed at easing cross-border tensions. Earlier reports suggested that North Korea agreed to temporarily halt balloon war following Seoul’s warning of “Unendurable” measures, such as the resumption of loud propaganda and pop music broadcasts via loudspeakers positioned along the demilitarized zone (DMZ), a strip of land dividing the peninsula since the end of the 1950-53 Korean War. The latest decision by Yoon Suk Yeol means that the South could resume live-fire drills, as well as restarting anti-Kim broadcasts near the border. Restarting the broadcasts would enrage the North, which has previously threatened to destroy the loudspeakers using artillery if they were not turned off. South Korea says it will restart loudspeaker propaganda broadcasts into the North after Pyongyang sent hundreds more rubbish-filled balloons across the border. “We will install loudspeakers against North Korea today and carry out the broadcast”, the president’s office said in a statement on Sunday. Both sides blame each other and escalate measures to increase the suffering of the other.

On Saturday, the Seoul city government, along with officials in the neighboring Gyeonggi Province, issued a text alert to residents, cautioning them about potential new balloon sightings. South Koreans are quite angry at North Korea, not only because Korean content is considered trash by the North. According to Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon, “North Korea is making another low-class provocation with trash balloons against our civilian areas”. At the same time, Seoul’s military calmed down citizens by stating that there were no substances harmful to safety in the latest batch of balloons, which contained waste paper and plastic. However, it cautioned the public to keep their distance and promptly report any balloons to the authorities. All these actions by the “Balloon War” have caused ties between the two Koreas to dip to one of their lowest points in years, with diplomacy long stalled and Kim ramping up his weapons testing and development, while the South draws closer to major security allies Washington and Tokyo.

June 11, 2024
What’s Behind North Korea’s Waste-Filled Balloons?

The use of propaganda balloons has long been a source of tension between North Korea and South Korea, two nations locked in conflict since the 1950s. South Korea is an expert in this tactic, frequently sending propaganda-filled balloons to the North, which disturbed the communist government. They continued This practice until recently. However, South Korea ceased this action, While North Korea is reported to be sending balloons filled with human feces and rubbish.

This “new way” for the authoritarian communist country to humiliate South Korea has quickly become a trending topic in the political sphere. On Wednesday, the South Korean military released photographs depicting inflated balloons tethered to plastic bags. Other images appeared to show trash strewn around collapsed balloons, with the word “Excrement” written on a bag in one photograph. This method, sending rubbish and feces, noted since the Scythian period, is a classic and ancient way to humiliate enemies. Considering North Korea’s large missile collection, one might wonder why they resort to such tactics. Nevertheless, North Korea’s inhumane and vulgar actions have sparked fury in South Korea.

According to reports from South Korea’s Yonhap News Agency, citing military sources, more than 150 balloons had been detected. Some of the balloons landed on the ground, while others were still in the air. Some of the balloons had traveled long distances, reaching as far as the southeastern province of South Gyeongsang, a province close to Japan. The fallen balloons appeared to have been carrying various items of rubbish, including plastic bottles, batteries, shoe parts, and what is believed to be manure, an official of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) said. South Korea has issued a warning to residents living near the border with North Korea to remain vigilant. The South Korean military reported that unidentified objects believed to be from North Korea had been spotted near the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), the heavily fortified border separating the two Koreas.

The balloons arrived after Kim Kang-il, a North Korean defense vice-minister, warned that the regime would retaliate in response to anti-North Korean leaflets flown across the border in the opposite direction. For years, South Korean activists and North Korean defectors have launched balloons to North Korea containing leaflets that critique the regime and encourage North Koreans to challenge the longstanding rule of the Kim dynasty in the name of Communism. Additionally, they have transported USB memory sticks containing K-pop music videos, prohibited in the North. The North Korean leader dismisses this material as rubbish.

Amid the Covid-19 pandemic, activists in the South released helium-filled balloons across the border. The balloons reportedly contained masks, over-the-counter painkillers, and vitamin C tablets, as well as booklets celebrating life in the wealthy, democratic South. The packages also included hundreds of USB sticks containing videos of US Congress members denouncing North Korea’s human rights record. Even though it may seem acceptable to the rest of the world, for North Korea, which claims not to have cases, it is considered humiliation. This is the same humiliation they are now inflicting on South Korea, sending a clear message that the material they send to the North is just rubbish, equivalent to feces, to them.

While balloons were mostly used by human rights activists and Korean unification supporters in South Korea, the South Korean government didn’t intervene much in this. However, in 2020, the South Korean government, led by the liberal president Moon Jae-in, drew an angry response from human rights activists after it took action against two defector organizations that routinely released propaganda balloons, accusing them of unnecessarily provoking the North and hampering efforts to improve cross-border ties. The government rescinded the permits of the groups when they consistently disregarded official requests to cease the flights..

For the regime in Pyongyang, the balloons represent a potential existential threat since they challenge the carefully crafted narrative surrounding the Kim dynasty and the people blocked from outside the world. The regime routinely describes their contents as “Dirty Waste” and claims that they were responsible for spreading the coronavirus through the balloon packages.

The cross-border balloon activity was reduced during Moon’s administration, which criminalized leafleting campaigns in a law introduced in early 2021, six months after Pyongyang expressed its anger over the leaflets by blowing up an inter-Korean liaison office in the North Korean border town of Kaesong. However, after two years, South Korea’s constitutional court nullified the contentious leafleting law, deeming it an undue restriction on free speech. With the court’s grant and North Korea’s move to send waste to South Korea through balloons, more balloon launches are expected to be prompted. The mutual humiliations are not expected to escalate to a military level.

May 29, 2024
How to Understand the United States Military Exercises in China Seas

The world is once again experiencing a gradual polarization, yet unlike the past century, the shift is not unfolding primarily in Europe; rather, it is unfolding in Asia. Washington and Beijing have emerged as two major power centers, increasingly prioritizing their relationships with Asian countries. Military exercises are on the rise, with the United States continuously conducting such drills in waters surrounding China. These military exercises may form part of a multi-year training plan, such as those jointly established by defense authorities like the drills involving the US, Korea, and Japan. Some Military exercises are conducted annually, like those carried out by the United States and the Philippines, but they all contribute to escalating tensions in the region. The choice of locations and the actions within these drills exhibit heightened aggression, collectively sending a clear message to Beijing. Furthermore, China, Russia, and North Korea are actively preparing to counter US influence in the region.

In recent days, the South Korean navy conducted joint naval drills with the United States and Japan in international waters south of Jeju Island, an island located in close proximity to China. The aim of these military drills was to improve joint operability against the nuclear and missile threats presented by North Korea. The military exercise comprised six warships, including the USS Theodore Roosevelt aircraft carrier, three Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers, and two Aegis destroyers from South Korea and Japan. The primary emphasis of the military exercise lay in anti-submarine warfare training and improving responsiveness to North Korean underwater threats, including submarines and submarine-launched ballistic missiles. Moreover, the three nations engaged in maritime interception training to curb the smuggling of weapons of mass destruction, alongside conducting search and rescue exercises.

Since the Camp David summit in August, Washington has been strengthening military alliances with Seoul and Tokyo, stressing the importance of “Regularizing defensive exercises” to enhance trilateral responses to North Korean threats. The recent joint military drill follows naval exercises in January, during which a US aircraft carrier was similarly positioned south of Jeju in the East China Sea. While these trilateral naval exercises primarily aim to address North Korean threats, both Beijing and Moscow are closely monitoring the deepening military cooperation among the three allies. The area south of Jeju Island in the East China Sea holds strategic importance for China, as its navy must navigate near the island and the Japanese archipelago to access the Pacific Ocean. From the perspective of the United States, the southern part of Jeju serves as a strategic vantage point for monitoring North Korea, but its geopolitical significance also positions it as a potential means of checking China’s influence. From China’s viewpoint, the North Korean nuclear issue is not new, and the joint training exercises conducted by the three countries signify an attempt to assert influence and limit China’s regional aspirations. From Russia’s view, Vladivostok is situated closer to Jeju Island in the East China Sea than Moscow.

Military exercises in the South China Sea are also on the rise. China conducted military “Combat Patrols” in the disputed region, as confirmed by its army. This activity coincided with joint military drills conducted by the Philippines, the United States, Japan, and Australia. Moreover, next week will witness extensive naval drills between the Philippines and the US, occurring amid escalating tensions in the South China Sea. With preparations underway, the possibility of military confrontations from the Chinese side cannot be ruled out. Nevertheless, the United States and its allies currently maintain clear dominance over the waters, as evidenced by their repeated naval exercises. China and its partners are shown their combined power and preparedness through these military drills.

April 22, 2024
Ruling Party Gets Heavy Defeat in South Korean Parliamentary Elections

People showed a red signal to the ruling People Power Party (PPP) in the South Korean Parliamentary Election. The party, along with a number of prominent leaders, suffered defeat in the 22nd general election, which was held on April 10th to choose 300 lawmakers. Under the leadership of progressive leader Lee Jae-myung, who was the target of an assassination attempt earlier this year, the opposition Democratic Party of Korea reaped a landslide victory. The Democratic Party secured 161 seats out of the 254 constituency seats where members are chosen by the direct voting system. By combining the seats gained by the allies and the proportional seats, Lee Jae-Myung can easily form a strong government.

With an overall turnout of 67 percent, the highest in 32 years, the shift of the wind was sensible and became evident with the election results. The People Power party, a conservative party which had won the presidential election two years before, saw conservative figure Yoon Suk Yeol take oath as president. Yoon’s campaign was successful in upholding Korean conservatism. However, the people decided to vote against the People Power party in the parliamentary election to replace the government under the prime ministership of Han Duck Soo, who was accused of several instances of corruption and misdeeds. The aggressive actions against opposition leaders, rising inflation, and the ongoing doctors’ strike all contributed to the loss of the People Power party, which only secured 109 seats, a combined number of constitutional and proportional seats.

The election has piqued the interest of the international media since it is perceived as a showdown between liberalism and conservatism, a trend that is currently evident in all democracies. Furthermore, Korea is perceived as a significant cultural force, and the belief that it is undergoing a rapid social revolution only adds to the curiosity

As the Prime Minister and leader of the disastrous election campaign, Han Duck Soo, along with his colleagues and senior politicians, took responsibility and offered their resignations. However, the result is actually a severe blow to President Yoon Suk Yeol. Yoon accepted the result and promised a revision, though conventionally, a parliamentary election is considered as an assessment of the president or a referendum, and he failed. As many political analysts previously predicted, he planned to implement significant changes in domestic policies by leaning towards a conservative agenda before, but now it seems impossible. It’s clear that as the opposition holds the majority, they can block presidential vetoes and the passage of constitutional amendments. Yoo will be a lame duck leader as his rule has three more years in his five-year tenure.

In terms of foreign policy, the South Korean parliamentary election is not having any serious effect, but the result is saddening for the United States and Japan. The relationship is at its warmest point, and they admire Yoon. However, the current prime minister has often adopted neutral stances on the Taiwan and Ukraine issues. Nevertheless, as the country highly values the international policies it has crafted with the United States and Japan, the election result will not have much impact

The election result is hailed by the media as punishment for the previous government, which brought the people’s lives into misery with price hikes. Many experts point out that South Korean people prefer liberalism over conservatism, and it’s true. With the alliance of the Democratic Party and other liberal parties like the Progressive Party and the New Progressive Alliance winning seats, it clearly shows the mood of the nation. Additionally, many small parties also secured seats in the election by capitalizing on discontent with conventional parties. Despite being founded weeks before the election under the former Justice Minister C ho Kuk, the new Rebuilding Korea Party garnered 12 seats.

Lee Jae-myung, the winner of the election, addressed the victory. As a politician who is always in the headlines of newspapers and whose journey started from a child factory worker to the prime ministership, he is an interesting figure to study. He has been plagued with several scandals, though Korean people chose him to replace the Han Duck soo government, which failed to address inflation and the cost of living crisis. Lee acknowledged that he will work on it. Korean people are showing that they have their own priorities. Conservatism may not be accepted in the face of price hikes.

April 11, 2024
South Korea’s Parliament Election 2024: Campaigns Kick Off Ahead of April Election

South Koreans will cast their ballots to choose a new National Assembly on April 10. President Yoon Suk Yeol’s ruling party is attempting to reclaim a parliamentary majority as the official campaign for the next general election in South Korea began on Thursday. The upcoming parliamentary election is commonly perceived as a midterm assessment of President Yoon Suk Yeol’s leadership and a chance to counteract attempts by the opposition to impede his conservative agenda. It will also be a confidence test for the opposition Democratic Party, which has controlled the Assembly for the previous four years. In the capital city of Seoul, leaders of the nation’s main political parties hosted rival events to jubilant supporters, signaling the start of nearly two weeks of campaigning ahead of the vote on April 10.

Mr. Yoon secured the presidential election by a narrow margin in March 2022. Within three months, his People Power Party achieved victories in several major-city mayoral and provincial governor races. Nevertheless, Mr. Yoon’s presidency has faced significant obstacles, including his party’s constrained influence in the single-chamber Assembly and his declining approval ratings.

The upcoming electoral contest carries immense weight for Mr. Yoon’s administration. A triumph for his party could inject vigor into his ambitious reform agenda, spanning healthcare, education, labor, national pension systems, and the pledge to dissolve the Ministry of Gender Equality. Additionally, it would validate his efforts to align South Korea more closely with the United States.

Given South Korea’s single-term presidency, which confines Mr. Yoon’s tenure to 2027, securing a parliamentary majority is imperative for advancing his policy objectives.

The People Power Party, led by Han Dong-hoon, frames the election as a pivotal moment to reshape politics and enhance public welfare. Han has taken a combative stance, branding opposition leaders as “Criminals” and vowing to hold them accountable, a strategy he portrays as addressing the populace’s concerns.

Central to the PPP’s appeal is its promise to purge what Mr. Yoon labels as corrupt “Anti-State” progressives from the heart of South Korean politics, a message resonating strongly with conservative voters.

However, despite Mr. Yoon’s approval rating languishing around 34 percent and public dissatisfaction mounting over the lackluster economy, the opposition Democratic Party (DP) and a newly formed minor third party are leading in certain polls. Projections from the Yonhap News Agency indicate that opposition parties could secure over 200 seats in the 300-member Assembly, granting them the authority to impeach the president or override his veto power.

Analysts view the upcoming election as an extension of the closely contested 2022 presidential race, where Mr. Yoon narrowly defeated the DP’s current leader, Lee Jae-myung, by a mere 0.73 percent margin. Lee is currently embroiled in multiple investigations, including allegations of bribery related to a company suspected of unlawfully transferring $8 million to North Korea. Despite denying all charges, Lee’s credibility remains under scrutiny. Additionally, there has been a surge in support for a party formed by former justice minister Cho Kuk, who faces a two-year prison sentence for falsifying credentials to facilitate his children’s admission into prestigious universities. He is currently appealing the verdict.

Lee has urged voters to view the election as a referendum on Mr. Yoon’s governance over the past two years, criticizing the administration’s perceived incompetence, the soaring cost of living, and its hawkish stance toward North Korea, which he believes jeopardizes peace on the Korean Peninsula. The liberal opposition’s rallying cry is to “punish” the Yoon government for a range of issues, from escalating consumer prices to its rejection of a parliamentary bill aimed at initiating an independent investigation into allegations of corruption involving the first lady, Kim Keon Hee.

Out of the 300 parliamentary seats in contention, 254 are determined through voting across various electoral districts nationwide. These contests primarily pit Mr. Yoon’s People Power Party against the opposition Democratic Party. The remaining 46 seats, not tied to specific districts, are allocated among smaller political factions based roughly on their proportional representation in a parallel nationwide poll.
Despite the fact that South Korea faces many complicated issues, including a stagnant economy, skyrocketing housing costs, an aging population, growing income inequality, a gender gap that is especially noticeable among young people, and an increasing nuclear and missile threat from North Korea. That being said, almost all issues are seen via a partisan lens due to the nation’s widening political split. According to analysts, this election is more about playing on voters’ fears and animosities toward rival groups than it is about meaningful policy conversation.

March 29, 2024