Similarity Of Yoon Seok-Yeol With Noriega of Panama And Hussein of Iraq

April 6, 2025

Key Points

  • Research suggests Yoon Seok-Yeol’s impeachment reflects South Korea’s democratic resilience, contrasting with US interventions in Panama and Iraq.
  • It seems likely that the US often allies with controversial leaders for strategic gains, leading to complex outcomes.
  • The evidence leans toward Yoon’s administration suppressing media freedom, raising concerns about democratic backsliding.

Background on Yoon Seok-Yeol

Yoon Seok-Yeol, South Korea’s former president, was impeached and removed from office on April 4, 2025, following his declaration of martial law on December 3, 2024. This action, aimed at addressing "anti-state forces," was quickly overturned by parliament, leading to his impeachment for violating constitutional duties. His ties with the US were strong, focusing on defense and economic cooperation, positioning South Korea as a key US ally in Asia.

Parallels with Historical Figures

Yoon’s case draws parallels with Manuel Noriega of Panama and Saddam Hussein of Iraq, both initially supported by the US for strategic reasons but later opposed due to their actions. Unlike Noriega and Hussein, where US military intervention led to conflict, South Korea’s democratic institutions handled Yoon’s removal internally, avoiding external bloodshed.

Critique of US Foreign Policy

The US’s history of supporting leaders like Yoon, Noriega, and Hussein raises questions about prioritizing short-term strategic interests over long-term democratic values, potentially undermining international credibility and stability.


This note provides a comprehensive examination of the impeachment of South Korea’s former President Yoon Seok-Yeol, focusing on its parallels with historical US alliances, the state of media freedom under his administration, and the broader implications for US foreign policy. The analysis is grounded in recent events and historical context, offering a critical perspective on the interplay between democracy, alliances, and authoritarian tendencies.

Context of Yoon Seok-Yeol’s Impeachment

Yoon Seok-Yeol, elected in 2022, was a conservative leader who promised to strengthen ties with the United States and adopt a firm stance against North Korea. His administration moved South Korea closer to the US, enhancing cooperation in missile defense, global supply chains, and forming a trilateral partnership with Japan and the US, as noted in a 2024 analysis by Brookings (Strong ties, high anxiety: The US-Korean alliance ahead of the 2024 election). However, on December 3, 2024, Yoon declared martial law, citing threats from "anti-state forces," a move that stunned the nation and was overturned within hours by parliament. The Constitutional Court’s 114-page decision on April 4, 2025, outlined five major constitutional violations, including failure to meet procedural requirements and interference with the National Assembly, as detailed in Wikipedia (Impeachment of Yoon Suk Yeol). This led to his removal, marking a significant political crisis.

Parallels with Noriega and Hussein

Yoon’s case mirrors the historical alliances of the US with Manuel Noriega and Saddam Hussein, both initially supported for strategic reasons but later opposed. Noriega, a CIA informant, aided US operations in Latin America but was indicted for drug trafficking, leading to the 1989 US invasion of Panama. Hussein received US support during the Iran-Iraq war but was toppled in 2003 after invading Kuwait and alleged WMD possession. Unlike these cases, where US military intervention resulted in conflict, South Korea’s democratic institutions, including parliament and the Constitutional Court, managed Yoon’s removal internally, as reported by BBC (Yoon Suk Yeol: Who is South Korea's impeached president?). This contrast highlights the resilience of South Korea’s democracy, avoiding the bloodshed seen in Panama and Iraq.

Media Freedom Under Yoon’s Administration

Under Yoon’s leadership, press freedom in South Korea faced significant challenges. Reports indicate his administration pursued defamation cases against journalists and conducted raids on newsrooms, with South Korea dropping to 62nd in the 2024 Reporters Without Borders (RSF) Global Press Freedom Index, down from 47th in 2023, as noted in The Diplomat (South Korea’s Press Freedom Under Fire). More than half of journalists expressed concerns about declining media freedom, with actions like targeting journalists for defamation and raids on outlets like JTBC and Newstapa underscoring a systematic effort to intimidate the press. During the brief martial law period, there was an attempt to control media, though quickly reversed, as reported by RSF (South Korea | RSF). This suppression echoes authoritarian tactics, raising concerns about democratic backsliding.

US Foreign Policy and Strategic Alliances

The US’s alliance with Yoon, alongside historical figures like Noriega and Hussein, suggests a pattern of supporting leaders for strategic gains, often at the expense of democratic values. Yoon’s alignment with the US was seen as a counterbalance to China and a bulwark against North Korea, but his authoritarian actions, such as martial law, may have damaged the alliance, as suggested by Carnegie Endowment (The Global Consequences of Yoon’s Martial Law Gambit). The US public was divided on its response, with some advocating neutrality and others opposition, reflecting the complexity of such alliances. This pattern raises questions about whether the US prioritizes short-term strategic interests over long-term stability, potentially undermining international credibility.

Comparative Analysis: Internal vs. External Resolution

A key distinction is how South Korea resolved Yoon’s crisis internally, contrasting with US interventions in Panama and Iraq. The Constitutional Court’s unanimous ruling and public protests, as seen in AP News (Yoon Suk Yeol removed as South Korea's president over short-lived martial law), demonstrate democratic resilience, avoiding the military conflicts that marked Noriega’s and Hussein’s downfalls. This internal resolution highlights the strength of South Korea’s institutions, despite challenges, and suggests a model for addressing leadership crises without external intervention.

Implications for Future International Relations

Yoon’s impeachment underscores the need for a more principled US foreign policy, prioritizing democratic values over expediency. The pattern of allying with controversial figures, as seen with Noriega, Hussein, and Yoon, suggests potential risks, including regional instability and loss of credibility. As South Korea moves forward with a new election within 60 days, as mandated by the constitution, the international community must reflect on fostering partnerships that align with shared values of freedom and democracy, rather than short-term strategic gains.

Table: Key Violations Leading to Yoon’s Impeachment

The following table summarizes the Constitutional Court’s findings on Yoon’s martial law declaration, based on the detailed analysis:

Violation

Description

1

Failure to meet substantive requirements: Political gridlock and election fraud allegations did not justify martial law, to be addressed politically, institutionally, and judicially.

2

Failure to meet procedural requirements: No informing of martial law commander, no cabinet deliberations, no required signatures from prime minister and ministers, no public announcement of scope, timing, or command structure, and no timely notification to the National Assembly.

3

Interference with National Assembly authority: Deployed military and police to prevent lawmakers from entering, obstructing deliberation, voting, and immunity from arrest.

4

Violation of judicial independence: Involved in tracking and planning arrests of former and current judiciary members, including former chief justice Kim Myeong-su and other retired justices, exerting pressure.

5

Infringement of political freedoms and constitutional order: Ordered tracking of political opponents via National Intelligence Service, used military to obstruct political institutions, and issued decrees violating rights to political activity, assembly, occupation, and separation of powers.

This table, sourced from Wikipedia (Impeachment of Yoon Suk Yeol), illustrates the gravity of Yoon’s actions, contributing to his impeachment.

In conclusion, Yoon Seok-Yeol’s impeachment is a pivotal moment for South Korea, reflecting both its democratic strengths and challenges. The parallels with US alliances highlight the need for a reevaluation of foreign policy, ensuring that strategic partnerships align with democratic principles and long-term stability.

Key Citations

 




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