Professor: President of South Korea attempting coup

leiden - Korea expert Remco Breuker from Leiden University considers the actions of South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol as a coup attempt.

Korea expert Remco Breuker from Leiden University considers the actions of South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol as a coup attempt. 'But it is not certain that he will get away with it. I expect substantial protests,' responded the professor to the developments in the country he studies.

Suspending press freedom and attempting to sideline the political opposition are signs, according to Breuker, that Yoon seeks to seize power. 'I think there are now two possibilities. Either he is ousted, or he remains in power and becomes a dictator,' the professor assesses the situation.

According to Breuker, there have been discussions in South Korea about the president sidelining his political opponents. 'Nevertheless, this is somewhat surprising.' Journalists from the country he has spoken to are 'very shocked,' according to the Korea expert. The situation reminds of the country's 'dark past.'

South Korea has experienced several periods where the military formally or practically held power, with the last instance being in the 1980s. For now, it appears that the military is following the president's orders. As long as he is in office, that is formally how it should be, but Yoon's actions are in Breuker's view in violation of South Korea's democratic constitution.

A number of students from Leiden are currently in South Korea, the professor says. He does not believe they are in danger at the moment. 'I don't see any reason to fear violence yet. This is a political crisis at the highest level.'