"Events" in South Korea

The South Korean president has declared martial law. Just when you think things are rolling along, events ef things up.

This is bad:

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law late Tuesday, vowing to eliminate “anti-state” forces as he struggles against an opposition that controls the country’s parliament and that he accuses of sympathizing with communist North Korea.

Hours later, parliament voted to lift the declaration, with the National Assembly Speaker Woo Won Shik declaring that lawmakers “will protect democracy with the people.” Woo called for police and military personnel to withdraw from the Assembly’s grounds.

The president’s surprising move harkened back to an era of authoritarian leaders that the country has not seen since the 1980s, and it was immediately denounced by the opposition and the leader of Yoon’s own conservative party.

Following Yoon’s announcement, South Korea’s military proclaimed that parliament and other political gatherings that could cause “social confusion” would be suspended, according to South Korea’s Yonhap news agency.

Maybe Yoon's claim is correct. But if it is just political disagreements, this is really bad.

Events, dear boy, events, can screw up your assumptions and plans. 

UPDATE: This does not look good:

While South Korea’s constitution says martial law can be overturned by a parliamentary vote, military officials have said so far that martial law will remain in place until Yoon lifts it, according to local reports.

Luckily North Korea's army is in shambles so exploiting this chaos will be difficult. And North Korea sold its ammo reserves to Russia. That said, Seoul is right on the border. North Korea has a short field to play offense on. I hope the ROK army isn't sent into turmoil in this crisis. 

UPDATE: Huh:

South Korea's President Yoon Suk Yeol says he will lift martial law after parliament voted to block it[.]

Just what did it achieve? If Yoon follows through, of course. This seems seriously effed up.

UPDATE: Still unclear what Yoon thinks he can achieve. He can wreck a lot.

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NOTE: The image is from a Reuters story.