A difficult political “Thor” emerges from South Korea’s martial law crisis | Political news

Seoul – South Korea’s National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik has emerged as an unlikely symbol of leadership amid the country’s ongoing political turmoil, sparked by a brief statement from President Yoon Suk-yeol. declaration of martial law on December 3.

Despite holding South Korea’s second-highest office after the presidency, the speaker of the assembly has historically had a low-profile behind-the-scenes role in political life.

Unlike the speaker of the United States House of Representatives, who drives Washington’s legislative agenda as the leader of the majority party, the speaker of South Korea’s parliament must by law renounce party affiliation after an election to maintain neutrality. Most speakers also retire after their term ends.

But Woo’s determined but measured actions throughout the recent crisis seems to have elevated the traditional view of the speaker and their role.

Lawyer and political columnist Yoo Junghoon told Al Jazeera: “It was refreshing to see someone like him stand up and act decisively at such a critical moment.”

“It made voters — both young and old — realize that such skilled politicians still exist,” Yoo said.

South Korean youths have even nicknamed Wu “National Assembly Thor” – a nod to his gavel of office and wielding the Marvel superhero’s mighty hammer.

A recent Gallup Korea poll found that 56 percent of respondents expressed confidence in Woo. OECD survey 2024.

Student constitutional procedure protest to ‘Tor’

As a young student activist, Woo spent three years in prison after protesting the military dictatorship that extended martial law in 1980 following the assassination of President Park Chung-hee in 1979.

The crackdown culminated in the deadly Gwangju Uprising in May 1980.

After President Yoon declared martial law on the night of Dec. 3, Wu, 67, scaled the National Assembly fence after police blocked access to prevent lawmakers from entering the country and holding a vote to overturn the president’s executive order.

“I knew we had the constitutional authority to lift martial law,” Woo recalled at a news conference.

“I did not hesitate. “No matter what, I had to go inside the assembly,” he said.

Even as South Korean special forces soldiers marched toward the assembly building, Woo insisted on following proper legislative procedures, despite anxious politicians urging him to cut several corners and speed up the process.

“In such moments, it is more important to follow the correct procedure without error,” Woo told his worried colleagues in the surrounding assembly chamber.

At one point, troops came perilously close to entering the main chamber where lawmakers vote, sparking a tense standoff with council staff.

A crucial vote followed, with all 190 lawmakers in the 300-seat Assembly voting in favor of lifting martial law.

“There have been many reactions on social media questioning why (Woo) is so focused on legislative procedures,” said Yoo, a political columnist.

“But now even those who oppose impeachment (against President Yoon) cannot find fault with the process he supports,” Yoo said.

Bong Young-shik, a research fellow at Yonsei University’s Institute of North Korean Studies, attributed the peaceful resolution of the chaotic situation without civilian casualties to Wu’s emphasis on strict adherence to constitutional procedures.

“In such an unexpected and dire situation, both conservatives and progressives found Woo trustworthy,” Bong said.

“We found that this approach worked as intended,” he said.

“South Korea is strong. His people are resilient’

Woo also followed strict constitutional procedures in the first term. The impeachment vote against President Yoon failedfor declaring martial law on December 7 and plunging the country into crisis.

With Yoon’s ruling party boycotting the vote to block an impeachment attempt, Woo kept the legislative session open for hours, an unusual move that urged politicians to return and fulfill their constitutional duties to vote.

Two deputies of the ruling party returned to the chamber to vote.

Woo closed the meeting just after 9:20 p.m., explaining that he could not wait for results indefinitely as protesters gathered outside the assembly in freezing weather to demand Yoo’s impeachment.

after successful, second impeachment in a vote a week later, Woo called for a return to normalcy in all areas of life in South Korea and for the public to move forward together.

“I hope your end of the year will be a little happier,” Woo said at the time, encouraging South Koreans to continue their Christmas celebrations and gatherings, given the turmoil that wrestles with small businesses at the key time of the year.

“His words immediately conveyed meaning,” said Yoo, a political columnist.

Woo acknowledged his increased public profile and newfound popularity, but with rare humility.

“I heard the youth call me ‘National Assembly Tor.’ I find it fun,” he said at a recent press conference.

He attributed the focus of public attention to the speaker’s role in politics not to him personally, but to the joint efforts of the assembly’s deputies, employees, and engaged citizens.

Asked about his future ambitions, including a potential presidential run, Woo dismissed the idea.

Instead, he emphasized the need for constitutional reform to address the recurring instability that has plagued South Korea’s presidency since its transition to democracy in 1987.

“Our current constitution, drafted in 1987, is outdated,” he said, adding that “reforms that reflect the societal changes of the past four decades” are needed.

Woo also gave a message to people around the world who watched in shock as South Korean troop deployments took place during President Yoon’s brief martial law declaration.

“South Korea is strong. Its people are tolerant,” he said.

“While the world was shocked by the declaration of martial law, South Korea remains safe, stable and confident in its future,” he added.