Column: South Korea serves as an example of a stable democracy
The troubled tenure of South Korea's President Yoon Suk Yeol formally came to an end on April 4. The nation's Constitutional Court officially ruled that he had exceeded his authority and overstepped the law in declaring martial law and attempting to use the special powers thereof to maintain control of the government.
Under presidential orders, soldiers of the Republic of Korea (ROK) Army did go to the parliament building, surrounded and entered the structure, but refrained from interfering with the business of the people's elected representatives.
That was a key moment and decision. Had the Army seized control, even temporarily, the still relatively new democratic institutions of South Korea would have been put in serious jeopardy.
The unanimous decision of the court confirms that the nation's parliament was justified in voting to impeach Yoon. He was arrested in December. Yoon is the first president to be formally charged with a crime while in office. He is officially accused of insurrection and now will stand trial.
Prime Minister Han Duck-soo has been acting president, so far relatively smoothly.
Now there must be an election within 60 days. The front-runner at the moment is Lee Jae-myung, the populist leader of the opposition Democratic Party. He barely lost a closely contested election to Yoon in 2022.
South Korea's political development has been rocky. Various former presidents have been imprisoned. They include former president Lee Myung-bak, convicted of embezzlement; and former President Park Geun-hye, convicted of various forms of corruption. Park was also the first woman elected to lead South Korea and the daughter of notorious long-term dictator General Park Chung-hee.
Former President Park had her sentence reduced, and she then received a pardon from reconciliation-minded President Moon Jae-in. She has enjoyed further public rehabilitation, reinforced by the fact that she may have been guilty of poor judgment but received no financial benefit from the alleged corruption.
Two generals, Chun Doo-hwan and Roh Tae-woo, served successively as president from 1980 following a military coup. Both were later convicted of crimes and briefly served prison terms before being pardoned.
General Park Chung-hee, father of Park Gyun-hee, took power in a coup in 1961, then was elected president in 1963. He ruled until he was assassinated in 1979 by the head of the Korea Central Intelligence Agency (KCIA).
This is a rather grim history of dictatorship, punctuated by violence, yet today South Korea has a functioning democracy under the rule of law. This positive consequence involves two U.S. presidents and their far-sighted public policies. Former General Dwight Eisenhower upon entering the White House in 1953 was able to end the brutal Korean War quickly and effectively.
The armistice endures.
However, Ike was concerned that the weakened and devastated nation might soon fall to communism. The answer was comprehensive development. That laid the foundation for the modern South Korea, a miracle that transformed a poverty-stricken peasant society into one of the strongest, most dynamic economies in the world.
Dramatic economic development, in turn, provided the foundation for democracy.
Earlier, President Harry Truman took the extremely courageous decision to support United Nations efforts to defend South Korea from the invasion by North Korea. U.S. engagement did not end with the Korean War era.
South Korea's remarkable economic and political development unfolded while accompanied by increasing global influence. In 2012, President Barack Obama shrewdly nominated President Jim Yong Kim of Dartmouth College, who was born in Seoul Korea, as president of the World Bank.
Arthur I. Cyr is the author of 'After the Cold War – American Foreign Policy, Europe and Asia.'
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There will be nearly 19 miles of barricades around the parade and festival, 175 magnetometers for public screening and drones overhead for aerial surveillance. "The mission is not just to secure an event, but to ensure public confidence in safety. We want every attendee to feel secure — that's why we are leaving no stone unturned," said Matt McCool, U.S. Secret Service. READ MORE: Trump warns military parade protesters will 'be met with very big force' The parade will go down Constitution Avenue, from 23rd Street to 15th Street. Click to open this PDF in a new window. "The parade will trace the Army's evolution from the Revolutionary War through to the U.S. Army of Tomorrow. Attendees will experience 250 years of Army heritage through historical U.S. Army personnel reenactors, period-accurate equipment, vehicles, impressive flyovers, and military bands participating in this landmark event," according to a statement from America 250. FOX 5 DC will be covering the parade, fireworks and festival events all day on June 14. Watch for free on the FOX LOCAL app, available on your smart TV and phone. Here's how to download FOX LOCAL on your devices. Officials say to expect traffic and widespread road closures. Avoid driving to the parade and opt for Metro instead. Metro's Smithsonanian Station will be closed on June 14. Festivalgoers are encouraged to use L'Enfant Plaza, Federal Center SW, or Archives–Navy Memorial stations. Parade viewers should consider Farragut West, Farragut North, Federal Triangle, or Archives–Navy Memorial for better access. The following highway will be closed to vehicle traffic by the United States Park Police on Friday, June 13 at 6:00 p.m. through Sunday, June 15 at 6:00 a.m.: George Washington Memorial Parkway both directions between U.S. 50 and I-395 The following streets will be closed to vehicle traffic from approximately 6:00 a.m. on Thursday, June 12, 2025, through 6:00 a.m. on Monday, June 16, 2025: C Street from 18th Street, NW to Virginia Avenue, NW 13th Street from C Street, SW to D Street, SW C Street from 14th Street, SW to 12th Street, SW The following streets will be closed to vehicle traffic from approximately 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 12, 2025, through 6:00 a.m. on Monday, June 16, 2025: D Street from 18th Street, NW to 17th Street, NW C Street from 18th Street, NW to 17th Street, NW Virginia Avenue from E Street, NW to Constitution Avenue, NW 21st Street from E Street, NW to C Street, NW 20th Street from E Street, NW to Virginia Avenue, NW 19th Street from E Street, NW to Constitution Avenue, NW 18th Street from E Street, NW to Constitution Avenue, NW 14th Street from Constitution Avenue, NW to Independence Avenue, SW Eastbound I-395 Exit 1 toward 14th Street / National Mall Eastbound I-395 HOV exit toward 14th Street / National Mall The following streets will be closed to vehicle traffic from approximately 12:01 a.m. on Friday June 13, 2025, through 6:00 a.m. on Monday, June 16, 2025: North to South Streets: 23rd Street from E Street, NW to Independence Avenue, SW 22nd Street from C Street, NW to Constitution Avenue, NW Henry Bacon Drive from Lincoln Memorial Circle, NW to Constitution Avenue, NW Daniel French Drive from Lincoln Memorial Circle, SW to Independence Avenue, SW 21st Street from C Street, NW to Constitution Avenue, NW 20th Street from C Street, NW to Constitution Avenue, NW 17th Street from Pennsylvania, NW to Independence Avenue, SW 15th Street from F Street, NW to Independence Avenue, SW Raoul Wallenberg Place from Independence Avenue, SW to Maine Avenue, SW 14th Street from Pennsylvania Avenue, NW to Constitution Avenue, NW 14th Street from Independence Avenue, SW to D Street, SW West Basin Drive from Independence Avenue, SW to Ohio Drive, SW East to West Streets: E Street from 20th Street, NW to 17th Street, NW (Eastbound lanes only) Lower Pennsylvania Avenue from 15th Street, NW to 14th Street, NW C Street from 21st Street, NW to Virginia Avenue, NW Virginia Avenue from 24th Street, NW to Constitution Avenue, NW Constitution Avenue from 23rd Street, NW to 12th Street, NW Madison Drive from 15th Street, NW to 7th Street, NW Jefferson Drive from 15th Street, SW to 7th Street, SW Independence Avenue from 23rd Street, SW to 12th Street, SW D Street from 14th Street, SW to 12th Street, SW Maine Avenue from Independence Avenue, SW to East Basin Drive, SW Ohio Drive from East Basin Drive, SW to Independence Avenue, SW Rock Creek Parkway from Virginia Avenue, NW to Ohio Drive, SW Lincoln Memorial Circle, NW The following highway exits, freeways, expressways, and bridges will be closed to vehicle traffic from approximately at 12:01 a.m. on Friday June 13, 2025, through 6:00 a.m. on Monday, June 16, 2025: Eastbound I-395 Exit 1 toward 14th Street / National Mall Eastbound I-395 HOV exit toward 14th Street / National Mall Eastbound I-395 Exit 3 toward 12th Street Expressway Eastbound E Street expressway Inbound TR Bridge split to Independence Avenue Inbound TR Bridge split to Constitution Avenue Northbound Potomac River Freeway exit toward E Street Westbound I 395 Exit 4A and 4B toward 12th Street, SW and Maine Avenue, SW Westbound E Street Expressway split to Southbound Potomac River Freeway Southbound Potomac River Freeway exit toward Independence Avenue and Maine Avenue Southbound Potomac River Freeway exit toward E Street Arlington Memorial Bridge The following expressways will be closed to vehicle traffic from approximately 9:00 p.m. on Friday June 13, 2025, through 6:00 a.m. on Monday, June 16, 2025: 12th Street Expressway 9th Street Expressway entrance from Constitution Avenue, NW The following streets will open for local traffic only from approximately 12:01 a.m. on Friday June 13, 2025, through 6:00 a.m. on Monday, June 16, 2025: North to South Streets: 23rd Street from Washington Circle, NW to E Street, NW 22nd Street from Pennsylvania Avenue, NW to Virginia Avenue, NW 21st Street from Pennsylvania Avenue, NW to E Street, NW 21st Street from Pennsylvania Avenue, NW to E Street, NW 19th Street from Pennsylvania Avenue, NW to E Street, NW 18th Street from H Street, NW to E Street, NW 17th Street from H Street, NW to Pennsylvania Avenue, NW 15th Street from H Street, NW to F Street, NW 14th Street from F Street, NW to Lower Pennsylvania Avenue, NW 13 ½ Street from Pennsylvania Avenue, NW to D Street, NW 13th Street from E Street, NW to Pennsylvania Avenue, NW 12th Street from E Street, NW to Constitution Avenue, NW 11th Street from E Street, NW to Pennsylvania Avenue, NW 10th Street from E Street, NW to Constitution Avenue, NW 9th Street from E Street, NW to Constitution Avenue, NW 9th Street from Independence Avenue, SW to C Street, SW 9th Street from Capitol Square Place, SW to Maine Avenue, SW L'Enfant Plaza from 9th Street, SW to Independence Avenue, SW 8th Street from E Street, NW to D Street, NW 7th Street from E Street, NW to Independence Avenue, SW 6th Street from E Street, NW to C Street, NW 5th Street from E Street, NW to Indiana Avenue, NW 4th Street from E Street, NW to Indiana Avenue, NW 4th Street from Madison Drive, NW to Independence Avenue, SW East to West Streets: Pennsylvania Avenue from 19th Street, NW to 1730 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Pennsylvania Avenue from 14th Street, NW to 7th Street, NW Upper Pennsylvania Avenue from 15th Street, NW to 13th Street, NW I Street from 23rd Street, NW to Pennsylvania Avenue, NW H Street from 24th Street, NW to Pennsylvania Avenue, NW New York Avenue from 18th Street, NW to 14th Street, NW Virginia Avenue from 24th Street, NW to E Street, NW G Street from 24th Street, NW to 14th Street, NW F Street from 23rd Street, NW to 14th Street, NW E Street from 23rd Street, NW to 18th Street, NW (Westbound lanes only) D Street from 14th Street, NW to 13 ½ Street, NW D Street from 9th Street, NW to 3rd Street, NW Indiana Avenue from 7th Street, NW to 4th Street, NW C Street from 6th Street, NW to 3rd Street, NW C Street from 9th Street, SW to 7th Street, SW Constitution Avenue from 12th Street, NW to 7th Street, NW Madison Drive from 7th Street, NW to 3rd Street, NW Jefferson Drive from 7th Street, SW to 3rd Street, SW Independence Avenue from 12th Street, SW to 7th Street, SW Frontage Road from 7th Street, SW to L'Enfant Promenade garage entrance G Street from 9th Street, SW to 7th Street, SW Maine Avenue from 14th Street, SW to 7th Street, SW The following street will open for local traffic only from approximately 12:01 a.m. on Friday June 13, 2025, through 6:00 a.m. on Monday, June 16, 2025, except from approximately 5:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 14, 2025, where it will be closed to all vehicle traffic: 12th Street from Independence Avenue, SW to Maine Avenue, SW D Street from 7th Street, SW to 12th Street, SW READ MORE: Trump military parade to bring days of road closures to DC Reagan National Airport is expected to close on June 14 for up to four hours during the U.S. Army's 250th birthday celebration. DCA's closure is to accommodate for military flyovers, parachute jumps and fireworks on June 14. The closure is expected to affect travelers with scheduled flights for the evening of June 14, according to the airport. What is still unknown is the exact timing of the closures. The Washington Post reports that the airport could be closed starting at 6 p.m. for three to four hours. Weather and timing of the day's activities would affect the timing and length of the closure. READ MORE: DCA to close for several hours on June 14 for military parade
