By Eugene Lee
Eugene Lee
The two-month-long drama surrounding President Yoon Suk Yeol’s martial law plan has turned into a saga impossible to ignore. Despite my best efforts to remain apolitical, this story must be examined from a governance perspective, even if it limits my options for other ideas.
The prologue of this unfolding series began with impeachment efforts derailed by the ruling party’s obstruction of the investigation. In a desperate bid to shield Yoon, the ruling party has seemingly abandoned its constituents, with 105 lawmakers now infamously etched into the public memory for boycotting the process. Worse, some of them have adopted openly radical stances, further alienating the public and inciting crowds against legal process — that we all saw in the storming of the Seoul Western District Court on Jan. 19. Meanwhile, the opposition party struggles with its own inadequacies, particularly its failure to shape its message and persuade the majority effectively. Many now question whether the opposition has the resolve to fill in the growing power vacuum.
Adding another layer to this drama is the curious role of spiritualism. Typically, in political science and international relations, topics like religion, fortunetelling and their influence are avoided due to their subjective and unverifiable nature. Yet, reports suggest that these shadowy figures now serve as conduits between government leaders and big money — a surreal intersection of mysticism and politics, as in the words of Yoon himself — a cartel.
What about him? Is Yoon still relevant? On a grand scale, while he and his supporters attempt to cast him as a misunderstood martyr, or misinterpret the law, my hunch is, probably not. His playbook seems borrowed from U.S. President Donald Trump’s appealing to radicals and using populist tactics to deflect criticism. Yet, Yoon overlooks a key distinction: Trump, at least in his messaging, projected patriotism, whereas Yoon appears to be driven by self-interest. The recent uptick in support for Yoon feels more like manufactured inflation than genuine public backing.
Where do I stand in all this? For the country. That’s why I felt a sense of excitement watching the wave of impeachments of top government officials — these people must go. And honestly, though I don’t completely agree, I totally get Elon Musk’s stance on cutting bureaucracy in the U.S. What baffles me is how, at the highest levels of South Korea’s government, officials continue to uphold such dangerous ideas, like martial law as a routine executive order! South Korea’s path to genuine reform lies in confronting its unresolved past. Some fear this will open Pandora’s box, but history shows that unresolved wounds only fester. The decision in 1945 to retain colonial administrators in power after liberation remains a root cause of recurring crises. The wealth and influence accumulated during that period remain a curse, perpetuating corruption and manipulation, from vote-buying to digital misinformation campaigns. In reality, Pandora’s box was never closed; it remains opened to this very day.
The “establishment,” built on colonial wealth and practices, continues to produce negligent leaders who fail in moments of crisis — be it Sewol, Itaewon or Muan. Instead of grieving with the people, they silence dissent, echoing colonialist methods of suppression. The outdated rhetoric of “reds” and “commies” — weaponized by Yoon and alike to dismiss critics — is a relic of the Cold War and has long outlived its purpose. Ironically, even the ruling party now mirrors the authoritarianism it claims to oppose. Revisiting this history isn’t about dwelling on the past but securing the future. The time for a Great Cleansing is now!
The Yoon administration’s actions don’t just destabilize domestic politics; they jeopardize national and regional security. Reckless provocations, if rumors are correct, like attempts to launch rockets and drones toward Pyongyang, suggest an administration willing to incite war to consolidate power. Imagine the implications if Yoon had direct control over nuclear weapons. This administration’s nuclear ambitions are another cause for concern. Washington must seriously evaluate whether South Korea’s current trajectory strengthens or weakens the alliance.
The parallels to Ukraine are striking. Just as the West miscalculated in allowing Russia’s unchecked aggression, the U.S. must consider the ramifications of a destabilized South Korea. If the alliance is meant to counter China, South Korea must first become a strong and reliable partner. That starts with allowing South Korea to cleanse itself of its colonial burden and rebuild on a foundation of integrity and accountability — in other words — Let Korea Be Great Again!
All this brings me to Trump himself. Even though I wrote about him last month, the rapid pace of change is worth revisiting. Just a month into his presidency, the U.S. already feels different. South Korea has already been threatened with tariffs on steel and aluminum. While I don’t see those as completely bad, the real problem will come when additional tariffs will hit a broader range of goods. That’s when we need to raise our voice — even polarize, if necessary — but do it strategically. First, let’s look at what works. The leaders of Mexico and India provide good examples: stay calm, play your game and earn respect. And before reacting, ask the real question: are the tariffs the issue, or is there something bigger at play? Let him handle a peace treaty with North Korea, and we will cheer for a Nobel Peace Prize for him! Meanwhile, big changes are coming on a global scale and on multiple fronts: security — any Trump-Putin deal won’t sit well with Ukraine escalating its clandestine operations and with the EU; the digital economy — DeepSeek is shaking up the tech world; finance — gold is pushing a quad grand. We have a full plate of challenges ahead. We have to change and move fast — because the alternative is bleak. Without change, history is destined to repeat itself, where bad leaders guide a nation toward another avoidable crisis. The time for change is now — not just for South Korea’s sake, but for the stability of the region and its alliances, including our partnership with the U.S.
Eugene Lee ([email protected]) is a lecturing professor at the Graduate School of Governance at Sungkyunkwan University in Seoul. Specializing in international relations and governance, his research and teaching focus on national and regional security, international development, government policies and Northeast and Central Asia.
English (United States) ·