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.

Merry Christmas to South Korea, and a very happy and democratic New Year

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

wheeeee! so good to hear!

“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.

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

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...

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.

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...

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

'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.'

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.

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

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.

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

Good place to start bsky.app/profile/hees...

@heesoojang.bsky.social is truly a gem and her work is exactly what we need right now. Thank you… sincerely… 🫶🏾

I want to watch TV coverage of the live fall of the Syrian regime. CNN is airing a Giuliani documentary, Fox News has a comedian joking about Canada, MSNBC a documentary about migrants So I turned on BBC,which is breathlessly switching between Syria, South Korea demonstrations, and Ghana election

Wow, thank you so much for this incredibly kind and thoughtful note! This is exactly why I do what I do—it means the world to know it resonates.

@heesoojang.bsky.social is better than “breaking news”. She’s giving thoughtful context that’s missing from everyone racing to the publishing button, at least in regard to S Korea. I did not expect that on this app. I want more of THAT. Background context. Please!

Thanks for quoting me. "The End of Passive Democracy" by @karishmajourno.bsky.social, published in Bloomberg Business

The most insidious form of lazy horse race journalism, like this one, attempts to report political events as depersonalized natural phenomena. Leaves readers not just misinformed, but overwhelmed, anxious, passive, and deprived of any sense of agency. Perfect for the social media era and Trump 2.0

Via @heesoojang.bsky.social #SouthKorea SHOWS that #Oligarchs WORLDWIDE THINK they can ACT WITHOUT CONSEQUENCES. #WeThePeople MUST LEARN from #FrenchRevolution that Oligarch ABUSE OF POWER MUST HAVE CONSEQUENCES. 💪🙏 @calltoactivism.bsky.social @rbreich.bsky.social @meidastouch.com @aoc.bsky.social

Talked to some protesters at length-- they told me they came out expecting impeachment to fail but that it was important to come out anyways and put pressure on the legislature. "See you next weekend, you bastards," one said.

박근혜도 한 번에 되지 않았습니다 결국 민주주의가 이길 겁니다

Behind everything lies a history. #CandlelightProtests in #SouthKorea originated as a peaceful response to nighttime demonstration bans under the Assembly and Demonstration Act. We're now seeing protesters creatively incorporating K-pop light sticks and Christmas decor. ✨🕯️

American Journalists have not viewed their role as an entity that should protect democracy. If they had, we wouldn't be in such a big mess

Earlier this year, @dkreiss.bsky.social and I have empirically demonstrated journalists' failures to do so during the 2022 U.S. midterm elections, particularly when election deniers were on the ballot. The paper is freely available to the public, if you’d like to take a look.

American news outlets have repeatedly failed to protect the peaceful transfer of power. In democracies, journalists have both the ability and the responsibility to alert the public to democratic threats. Newsrooms should start asking how they would fulfill this vital democratic role.

Gracious me. It was already a shitshow, now it's an even bigger shitshow.

Only the day of the crisis when they’re in imminent danger. Once the immediate threat subsides, it’s all about power. Mitch McConnell/GOP on Jan 6 vs impeachment trial showed us this 4 years ago

Yeah but on Jan 6th it was DISGUSTING. People actually voted against ratification that day. That being said if my career depended on support from a far right group I’m not so sure what I’d do… and I’m ashamed to say it… I guess we’re all human

PPP 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

Shameful behaviour of the politicians of that party.