S Korea political upheaval shows global democracy's fragility - and resilience

It shows that new democracies sometimes have better laws to secure them from barbarism than old ones.

Citizen who gathered to parliament urgently, Staff or lawmakers who protected parliament, Soldiers who dispatched but actually had no intention to shoot citizen or control parliament. South Korea where each people defended democracy by each way at each place.

On the other hand, in present Japan where somehow Japanese far-rights have even denounced Korean citizen who tried to defend parliament and twisted far-right politicians are insisting necessity of Japan version "martial law" despite revealed risk of abuse of power, despair that "If same situation caused in Japan, the Diet will be easily occupied by force, citizen will be shooted, democracy will be stopped soon" spreading among citizen.

Aoi Azuuri:

On the other hand, in present Japan where...

democracy has been relatively mature for many years, and no martial law has been declared under the current Constitution. In modern Japan, simple voting, not violence, is the tool for political change.

Meanwhile stories are differenct in Korea in the same period.

1. After WWII and Korean War (1945–1953)

After WWII, Korea faced division and instability. The Korean War (1950–1953) saw the frequent imposition of martial law in South Korea to manage wartime conditions and suppress suspected communist activity.

2. Rhee Syngman Era (1948–1960)

Under President Rhee Syngman, martial law was declared to suppress opposition and maintain control. Notably, martial law was imposed during the April Revolution (1960) when protests led to Rhee's resignation.

3. Park Chung-hee Era (1961–1979)

General Park Chung-hee came to power through a military coup in 1961, under martial law. Martial law was used to consolidate power and suppress dissent during his authoritarian rule, particularly when opposition to his regime grew.

4. Chun Doo-hwan Era and Gwangju Uprising (1979–1987)

After President Park's assassination in 1979, Chun Doo-hwan seized power, declaring nationwide martial law in 1980. The Gwangju Uprising (May 1980) was a key event during this period. Citizens in Gwangju protested against martial law and authoritarian rule, but the military responded with brutal force, leading to hundreds of deaths.

5. Transition to Democracy (1987 Onwards)

The last significant use of martial law was in 1980 under Chun Doo-hwan.