After Yoon's martial regulation order, S. Korean protester remembers strongman's navy rule By Reuters

By Sebin Choi and Eduardo Baptista

SEOUL (Reuters) – When President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial regulation for the primary time in South Korea since 1980, Lee Chul-Woo, 70, recalled his youth, spent a lot of it protesting towards the right-wing navy regime. .

The speedy rejection and failure of Yoon's determination stems partly from this painful historical past, which hundreds of thousands of South Koreans nonetheless keep in mind vividly. There have been greater than a dozen instances of martial regulation declared since South Korea turned a republic in 1948.

Lee, a supporter of important opposition get together chief Lee Jae-myung, who has participated in protests calling for Yoon's impeachment in latest days, mentioned he had participated in pro-democracy pupil demonstrations within the Nineteen Eighties and that he had been crushed and arrested by troopers, an expertise that also offers him chilly sweats and nightmares.

“When (Yoon's) martial regulation failed, I used to be considerably relieved. Each time I hear 'martial regulation,' I consider the great outdated days, the oppression of human rights,” Lee mentioned.

A whole bunch of individuals are estimated to have died or disappeared when the South Korean navy violently suppressed an rebellion in Gwangju in Could 1980, which started in response to the institution of a navy dictatorship by Common Chun Doo- hwan and the declaration of martial regulation the identical month.

This occasion, seen by some as a precursor to the transition to a democracy in 1987, has since been commemorated as a painful reminder of the nation's journey to turning into a liberal democracy.

Lee, a retired instructor, recalled how Seoul's troops entered the college grounds the place he was learning with machine weapons and tanks in the course of the Gwangju bloodbath.

When troops had been despatched to the Nationwide Meeting on Tuesday night to hold out Yoon's orders, Lee mentioned he thought concerning the variety of deaths in Gwangju and the way grateful he was that the troops this time weren’t ” as ignorant as they had been in Gwangju.”

ECHOES FROM THE AUTHORITARY PAST

In an unscheduled televised speech Tuesday night time, Yoon mentioned martial regulation was mandatory to guard South Korea “from the specter of North Korean communist forces” and “to eradicate the despicable pro-North Korean anti-state forces that pillage freedom.” and the happiness of our individuals.

His labeling of his critics and opponents as North Korean or communist sympathizers echoes language utilized by South Korean governments earlier than 1987 to justify repression of dissent, alienating voters like Lee who suffered beneath governments right-wing authoritarians.

“Once I see this man now, his mindset is that of the 60s and 70s, Yoon Suk Yeol can't escape that period,” Lee mentioned.

Though Lee hopes younger Koreans will take his place on the protests, he mentioned he would defend the Nationwide Meeting together with his personal physique if martial regulation is said once more.

“Now that I’m over 70, I’ve lived sufficient, proper? Younger individuals shouldn’t be sacrificed, individuals like us ought to make sacrifices,” he mentioned.