WP "The real threat to Korean democracy is an attempt to overthrow President Yoon."

Major U.S. newspapers assessed that Korean democracy has passed a critical test in their editorials on President Yoon Suk Yeol's declaration of martial law and the process of the National Assembly's resolution to lift it.

The Washington Post editorial said the real threat to Korean democracy was President Yoon Suk Yeol's raucous and likely unconstitutional attempt to overthrow the country, and fortunately, Korea endured the test and democracy was not only intact but strengthened.

At a time when democracy seems to be retreating around the world and many Americans are worried about the future, he argued that the event will energize the belief that democratic systems are resilient and that the desire for freedom is universal.

The editorial noted that despite Yoon's warnings against pro-North Korean anti-state forces, South Korea has not faced an existential threat, and that there has been no indication of North Korean troop movements or mobilization to justify martial law.

The Wall Street Journal also said in an editorial that South Korea's democracy quickly rejected President Yoon's unclear declaration of martial law, passing the biggest test in decades.President Yun

cited the threat of North Korean communist forces and the eradication of pro-North Korean anti-state forces as reasons for martial law, but did not elaborate on the threat, noting that martial law had traces of a reckless gamble to save his sinking presidency.

The editorial speculated that President Yoon's declaration of martial law could bring about North Korea's reckless military action, and that the Biden administration may have given Yoon sharp advice regarding the dangers of martial law.