While pro- and anti-Trumpers pondered the implications of a precedent shattered, the brouhaha compelled a Korean-American academic to pose this question on social media: Has the student - South Korea — overtaken the master - the U.S. - in the practice of democracy?
SEOUL, South Korea — The U.S. has been transfixed in recent weeks by the spectacle of the indictment of ex-President Donald Trump — the first time in the country’s nearly 250 years as a sovereign country that a former U.S. leader has charged with criminal activity, let alone 34 felonies.
Is it a healthy sign that no man — or woman — is above the law here? Or is it a sign of still-pervasive political corruption and a system that seems to promote taking legal action against the once high and mighty? With Mr. Trump’s case now dominating the headlines, South Koreans themselves seem divided over the issue.
Chun Doo-hwan, another ex-general who seized power and was blamed for the killing of over 200 pro-democracy protesters in 1980, was sentenced to death after he left office. His successor and right-hand man, ex-Gen. Roh Tae-woo — the first democratically elected president after the military juntas — got a life sentence after stepping down for his participation in past coups and for human rights abuses.
When Mr. Lee was jailed in 2018 for allegedly embezzling roughly $22 million, American Enterprise Institute scholar Olivia Schieber observed: “Half of all living former South Korean president are now in prison.” “The office of the president has quite a profound influence over the prosecutor’s office,” said Mr. Moon, the former presidential advisor. “The direction of investigations is influenced by the presidential office.”
Critics say another downside of the South Korean experience is the empowerment of over-ambitious prosecutors — a criticism that has found an echo among Mr. Trump’s supporters in the U.S.
France Dernières Nouvelles, France Actualités
Similar News:Vous pouvez également lire des articles d'actualité similaires à celui-ci que nous avons collectés auprès d'autres sources d'information.
Exploring Earth From Space: Seoul, South KoreaSouth Korea’s capital city, Seoul, and its surroundings are featured in this satellite image, captured by the Copernicus Sentinel-2 mission on February 21, 2023. Situated some 50 km (30 miles) south of the North Korean border, the metropolitan area of Seoul appears as the grey area in the center of
Lire la suite »
After leak of secret documents, South Korea to raise spying allegations with U.S.South Korean officials said Sunday they will “come up with our response accordingly” after revelations that the U.S. reportedly spied on its close ally and gathered signals intelligence related to South Korea’s internal debate over weapons sales to the U.S., and Seoul’s fears that those weapons would ultimately end up in Ukraine.
Lire la suite »
South Korea to hold talks with US regarding leaked documentsLeaked classified US military documents pertaining to the war in Ukraine contain information suggesting the US had been spying on one of its most important allies South Korea
Lire la suite »
South Korea's Yoon calls strategy meeting to boost chip, battery sectorsSouth Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol ordered on Monday a national strategy meeting to boost the competitiveness of the country's rechargeable battery and semiconductor sectors, a presidential spokesperson said.
Lire la suite »
South Korea to Probe Circumstances Around Reported Leak of Classified U.S. DocumentsIf reports of the intelligence leak are confirmed, Seoul could ask Washington “to take reasonable measures,” a South Korean official said.
Lire la suite »
South Korea will demand 'appropriate measures' after Pentagon documents leakSouth Korean official says the country will demand the United States take “appropriate measures” once the U.S. completes an investigation into leaked Pentagon documents that reveal details of intelligence gathering on its allies, including South Korea.
Lire la suite »