I don't think that yesterday has hurt South Korea's reputation. Lawmakers unanimously voting against martial law, national assembly staff blocking soldiers with fire extinguishers, people taking to the streets to protest while not giving a damn that this is illegal under martial law, the largest umbrella union organization calling a general strike - all this is very impressive.
They couldn't know whether the army would shoot protesters (as they did in 1980). They risked their lives to protect democracy. So when I see takes like "I thought South Korea was a stable democracy", I think: Which democracy is more trustworthy, one that seems stable from the outside or one where people will actually stand up for democracy?

#SouthKorea

GENERAL STRIKE ANNOUNCED

Trade union confederation announces general strike

The Korean Confederation of Trade Unions (KCTU) has announced a general strike in response to Yoon’s declaration of martial law and called for the president to resign, according to Korean media.

“We will go on an indefinite general strike until the Yoon administration steps down,” the union said in a statement.

The union drew a connection to the martial law order and previous efforts by military forces to undermine democracy, which often included attacks on organised labour.

“Martial law was the means chosen by Park Chung-hee, Chun Doo-hwan, and the military dictatorship to destroy democracy and human rights in order to extend their power,” KCTU said

#korea #southkorea #unions