A lesson to many right now. We hope that South Korea can consolidate their democracy, Syria can move towards building a democratic state, that Ukraine can keep theirs and America can protect theirs.
Heesoo Jang
@heesoojang.bsky.social
Assistant Professor in Media Law and Ethics, UMass-Amherst Proud UNC J-school PhD alumna heesoojang.com
Confirmation hearings for the 3 nominations are expected to be scheduled sometime between December 18-24, with a vote planned before year-end. If the impeachment motion passes, these appointments can proceed unhindered by Yoon, enabling the court to restore its full 9-member composition.2/2
The current Constitutional Court, with its six justices, can technically remove the president with a unanimous vote. However, concerns persist about this '6-member system.' With President Yoon's impeachment motion likely to pass, the opposition is hastening efforts to fill the three vacant seats.1/2
“The sovereignty of the Republic of Korea resides with the people, and all power emanates from the people.” 대한민국 헌법 제1조 1. 대한민국은 민주공화국이다. 2. 대한민국의 주권은 국민에게 있고, 모든 권력은 국민으로부터 나온다.
Heesoo Jang@heesoojang.bsky.social · 2y ago#SouthKorea #BreakingNews The #impeachment motion was just passed with 204 votes in favor. Great job, everyone. 🕯️ We did it!
Holding a despotic president to account!
204 for, 85 against, 3 abstain, and 8 invalid votes! The crowd went wild when he said 204 and they immediately starting singing "into the new world" 😄
#SouthKorea #BreakingNews The #impeachment motion was just passed with 204 votes in favor. Great job, everyone. 🕯️ We did it!
Had not seen such a clear overview of the nature of the South Korea Democracy #crisis since reading this - thank you for sharing, @heesoojang.bsky.social So important to consider this, esp considering devs in US political dynamics and general push toward polarization & reduction in checks on power
Heesoo Jang@heesoojang.bsky.social · 2y agoI was preparing to pitch an op-ed on the nationwide protests calling for President Yoon's resignation, aiming to provide global context amid the limited international coverage. Given the urgency, I’m sharing it now. I didn’t expect events to escalate this quickly. #SouthKorea #Democracy
Was asked to interview for a western media outlet and they were like "and has the impeachment vote awakened the women into political consciousness" and I was like ??? Women have always been the FOREFRONT of protest in Korea: Yoo Gwan Soon, stroller-pushing mothers in 2008, Ewha Women's Uni in 2016??
On top of all Yoon’s craziness, minor opposition party leader Cho Kuk sentenced to 2 years in prison so he’s ineligible for presidential election m-en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN2024...
(URGENT) Minor opposition leader Cho Kuk sentenced to two years in prison | Yonhap News Agency
m-en.yna.co.kr
Another extra legal point for journalists and Korea influencers: In Korea, what we officially call the "Supreme Court" is really our highest appellate court. The "Constitutional Court" technically exists above it but it's not as powerful. In America, the "Supreme Court" IS the Constitutional Court
So ironic that constitutional law, my least favorite subject at Korea Law, is what's getting eyeballs on my work now. My old professors would be FURIOUS if they knew 😂 Korean constitutional law is pretty boring—Korean law doesn't use case precedent as law, we have statutes. It's mostly cut and dry.
Today's address seemed like a preview of how President Yoon is preparing his trial arguments. He will likely repeat the same claims during Constitutional Court proceedings. #SouthKorea #MartialLaw #Impeachment
#SouthKorea President Yoon's address today made one thing clear: he has no plans to resign. Meanwhile, Party Leader Han Dong-hoon has called for a vote on his removal this Saturday. With additional support from the ruling party, the #impeachment motion has a higher possibility of passing.
'I will fight to the end': S Korea's Yoon defends martial law order
President Yoon Suk Yeol said that he declared martial law to protect the country's democracy.
bbc.com
Heesoo Jang@heesoojang.bsky.social · 2y agoWhy would President Yoon favor #impeachment? Some possibilities: 1️⃣ Retain legal protections as president until a final ruling 2️⃣ Use impeachment as a platform to defend his actions in an official trial 3️⃣ Delay the presidential election, avoiding the opposition momentum that resignation could trigger
Good morning from Seoul. Still unclear who is running the country. The president is under investigation for treason and has been banned from leaving. But he still apparently remains in charge of the military. Here are the latest details:
For the latest Korea news, here's a great list of Bluesky accounts to follow. Please note that this list is broad and includes North Korea watchers, as well. And let me know if you are a Korea specialist who'd like to be added to this starter pack.
Rejecting bad ideas isn't a conspiracy against free thought--it is a victory for free thought.
In an explainer for @goodauth.bsky.social, I share some historical and contemporary context to martial law in South Korea and Yoon's botched attempt yesterday. goodauthority.org/news/martial...
South Korea's president briefly declared martial law.
President Yoon’s approval rating hit a record low, at just 19 percent, last week. So what's behind his declaration of martial law?
goodauthority.org
Why would President Yoon favor #impeachment? Some possibilities: 1️⃣ Retain legal protections as president until a final ruling 2️⃣ Use impeachment as a platform to defend his actions in an official trial 3️⃣ Delay the presidential election, avoiding the opposition momentum that resignation could trigger
Heesoo Jang@heesoojang.bsky.social · 2y agoWill the second vote on the #impeachment motion succeed in #SouthKorea this Saturday? While the opposition party has officially expressed opposition to the impeachment vote, it seems that President Yoon is leaning more toward impeachment than resignation.
'The presidential office...informed the ruling party that Yoon is determined to face impeachment proceedings rather than resign & will fight the case in court...Kim Jong-hyuk, a member of the PPP's Supreme Council, confirmed Yoon's stance...citing his presidential office sources.'
Yoon wants to fight impeachment, not resign: sources
President Yoon Suk Yeol would choose to face impeachment proceedings rather than voluntarily leave the position, as he was booked as a suspect on treason charges and barred from traveling overseas fol...
m.koreatimes.co.kr
Will the second vote on the #impeachment motion succeed in #SouthKorea this Saturday? While the opposition party has officially expressed opposition to the impeachment vote, it seems that President Yoon is leaning more toward impeachment than resignation.
“尹대통령, 하야 대신 탄핵 택했다”
尹대통령, 하야 대신 탄핵 택했다 與 2·3월 하야 방안 제시하자 與 관계자 尹, 조기 퇴진보다 헌법재판소서 법적 대응 입장
chosun.com
In today's newsletter: -South Korea’s fight and lessons for global democracy from @heesoojang.bsky.social -Kamala Harris’ campaign and its impact on future leadership -The rise of GLP-1 medications and their implications -The role of social media in shaping online interactions and digital trust
Democracy in Crisis, Digital Platforms, and Leadership Redefined
From South Korea's unrest to Kamala Harris’ campaign, GLP-1 medications, and social media’s impact—CITAP researchers tackle today’s key challenges.
open.substack.com
Thank you for writing this. It’s very frustrating to see the lack of awareness and depth in global coverage of S. Korean politics.
And here is where, again, we need to stop talking about "the public sphere" as if it ever existed. There were always multiple publics - some w/ more power & access to mainstream spaces like media where political deliberation happens - there are dominant publics, counterpublics, and more.
Your op-ed on the protests for President Yoon's resignation providing global context is crucial amid limited coverage. Keep us updated!
How is Yoon not in a jail cell for fomenting an insurrection? Oh, wait… Jan. 6.
Heesoo Jang@heesoojang.bsky.social · 2y agoPPP prioritized self-interest over democratic accountability. The conservative party boycotted the impeachment vote, leading to the motion's failure. We’re left with yet another precedent that undermines accountability for serious abuses of power. #SouthKorea #MartialLaw
The U.S. media is looking inward as #SouthKorea fights for its democracy. This short read (heavy with citations) by @heesoojang.bsky.social gives important context to understand the escalating threat to the South Korean democracy. Please like & share.🙏🏼 The world needs to know! #democracy #crisis
Heesoo Jang@heesoojang.bsky.social · 2y agoI was preparing to pitch an op-ed on the nationwide protests calling for President Yoon's resignation, aiming to provide global context amid the limited international coverage. Given the urgency, I’m sharing it now. I didn’t expect events to escalate this quickly. #SouthKorea #Democracy