CNN correspondent says South Korea imposing martial law reminds her of Trump
A CNN correspondent has compared the political unrest erupting in South Korea to what America's future could be when Donald Trump returns to the White House.
MJ Lee discussed South Korea's president Yoon Suk Yeol's decision to declare emergency martial law on Tuesday - a move that sparked rampant protests and civil unrest concentrated in Seoul.
Only hours later Yoon announced he would lift the declaration, backing down in a stunning standoff with parliament which rejected his attempt to ban political activity and censor the media.
In an effort to offer context about South Korea's political situation, Lee referenced Trump's recent election win and implied that under his presidency, Washington DC could end up looking like Seoul.
She pointed out that martial law - a temporary measure which replaces a civilian government by military rule - being enacted is 'an important thing for Americans to pay attention to, particularly given that Donald Trump is about to be president.'
Lee said Trump is 'somebody who has said he wants to use the military to go after his own enemies'.
During the panel discussion, Punchbowl News co-founder John Bresnahan chimed in to echo Lee's sentiment.
'He's encouraged the use of force to achieve political goals,' Bresnahan said. 'The parallels to January 6, just the image of a democracy facing this kind of crisis, I think this is something that people are scared about or that sort of Democrats are scared about when they think about Trump's return.'
MJ Lee discussed South Korea's president Yoon Suk Yeol and his decision to declare martial law, saying that America could erupt in similar chaos under Donald Trump's presidency
During the panel discussion, Lee and John Bresnahan said Trump has called for the military to go after his enemies
South Korea burst into chaos after Yoon made the controversial announcement, with protestors swarming Seoul
Lee, who was born in South Korea, continued: 'The reason this is going to be so emotionally jarring for the folks in Korea is because this is not really distant history. The fact that this kind of thing could happen in the streets of Seoul.
'Folks who are in my parents generation - certainly my grandparents generation - this is what they lived through.'
She said South Korea has become 'one of the most important democratic countries' that others 'point to as a model'.
Yoon has initially claimed his reasoning for declaring martial law was a necessary measure to protect South Korea from 'communist forces' in North Korea and 'anti-state' actors in his own country.
'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 order,' Yoon said on Tuesday.
He went on to accuse his country's opposition of controlling the government through anti-state activities before asking his citizens to 'believe in him' and 'tolerate some inconveniences'.
Yoon added: 'With no regard for the livelihoods of the people, the opposition party has paralyzed governance solely for the sake of impeachments, special investigations and shielding their leader from justice.
Bresnahan noted 'parallels' between the chaos in South Korea and the January 6 riots
Protestors cheered 'We won' after the National Assembly called for 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 falling into the depths of national ruin.'
As a response to the announcement, protestors swarmed the streets and headed for the parliament buildings in Seoul where they were met by riot cops, armed police and the National Assembly.
All political activities were banned in South Korea under martial law. All media was to be monitored 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 assemblies and demonstrations, are strictly prohibited,' he said.
The Yonhap news agency also confirmed that citizens could be arrested without a warrant.
Yoon first president to declare martial law since the country's democratization in 1987, according to the Associated Press.
It was unanimously voted down by all 190 members of parliament.
In response to martial law being lifted soon after Yoon set it into motion, protestors cheered and chanted 'We won!'
Television footage showed soldiers who had been stationed at parliament leaving the site after the vote.
Cho Kuk, head of a minor opposition party, met protesters outside parliament and said: 'This isn't over. He put all the people in shock.'
He vowed to impeach Yoon by putting together votes from other parties.
Soldiers try to enter the National Assembly building after Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law
Yoon first president to declare martial law since the country's democratization in 1987
Yoon was a career prosecutor and was elected in May 2022 by a margin of less than one percent.
He has been unpopular, with his support ratings hovering at around 20 percent for months.
His People Power Party (PPP) suffered a defeat at a parliamentary election in April this year.
Yoon's popularity has tanked in particular due to his dismissal of calls for independent investigations into scandals involving his wife and top officials.
