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What has happened in South Korea and what does martial law have to do with it?


Published on 2024-12-05 03:00:50 - Brian Stokes, N@N
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  • South Korea is reeling after a whiplash eight hours during which the country's embattled president declared martial law but was forced to lift it amid widespread condemnation, throwing the country's political landscape into chaos and uncertainty.

The article from MSN discusses the historical context and implications of martial law in South Korea, particularly focusing on the events of May 1980 in Gwangju. During this period, South Korea was under the authoritarian rule of General Chun Doo-hwan, who declared martial law to suppress pro-democracy protests. This led to the Gwangju Uprising, where citizens, including students and workers, rose against the military crackdown, resulting in a violent suppression by the military, with estimates of hundreds to possibly over a thousand civilian deaths. The article explains that martial law, which involves the suspension of ordinary law and governance by military authorities, was used to control dissent and maintain order. It also touches on the long-term effects, including the eventual transition to democracy in South Korea, the acknowledgment of the Gwangju massacre as a pivotal moment in the country's history, and how these events have shaped South Korea's political landscape, emphasizing the importance of civil liberties and democratic governance.

Read the Full MSN Article at:
[ https://www.msn.com/en-us/politics/government/what-has-happened-in-south-korea-and-what-does-martial-law-have-to-do-with-it/ar-AA1vdZJf ]