Recently, the National Assembly (Parliament) of South Korea passed a bill for the impeachment of President Yoon Suk-yeol following his failed attempt to impose martial law in the country. He faces charges regarding the illegality of this decision, which violated constitutional provisions and failed to meet the necessary legal conditions and procedures. A total of 204 out of 300 members of parliament voted in favor of impeachment, achieving the required two-thirds majority. The first attempt to remove the president, which took place the week before, had failed due to a boycott of the vote by members of the ruling People Power Party (PPP). However, this time, several members from the PPP joined the opposition, ensuring the success of the vote. Consequently, the president has been suspended from performing his duties until the Constitutional Court reaches a final decision on the matter.          more...

On December 3, President Yoon Suk-yeol of South Korea announced the imposition of martial law in the country. In a televised address to the nation, he claimed that this measure was necessary to ensure security and eliminate «pro-North Korean anti-state forces.» He emphasized that the primary threat to the constitutional order was posed by the activities of the National Assembly, the country’s parliament. The president accused lawmakers of paralyzing the state’s functions by blocking appointments of high-ranking officials, as well as hindering the passage of budget laws and other important legislative acts. The martial law decree included a ban on all political activities, including the work of the National Assembly and local governments. Strikes and demonstrations were also prohibited, and media outlets were to come under government control.          more...

Donald Trump’s victory in the U.S. presidential election on November 5, 2024, has once again taken both voters and analysts by surprise. Defeating his opponent, Kamala Harris, by a margin of five million votes, Trump improved his performance compared to the 2020 election in nearly every state. This marks the second time he has won a presidential race against a female candidate and the second instance in which an unexpectedly large portion of the electorate has cast their votes for a figure widely regarded as an outsider by the American political establishment. His victory highlights a deep and enduring divide between the government and its citizens that has persisted for over a decade. Unlike previous elections, this outcome cannot be attributed to allegations of Russian interference, voter fraud involving undocumented immigrants, or manipulation of early voting ballots. The American electorate has made its choice, and the results speak for themselves.          more...

"The snap elections for Japan’s House of Representatives, held on October 27, produced an unexpected outcome. The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP)—the dominant force in Japanese politics, which has maintained control over both houses of parliament and formed successive governments for decades—lost its outright majority. Although it remains the largest parliamentary party, this result signifies a major setback for its leadership, particularly for its new chairman, Shigeru Ishiba, who assumed both the party leadership and the position of Prime Minister following the LDP chairmanship elections in September..."          more...

"In early September 2024, Beijing hosted the 9th Forum on China-Africa Cooperation (FOCAC), with Chinese President Xi Jinping extending a formal welcome to participants. Among the distinguished guests was António Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations. The Forum saw the participation of representatives from 53 African nations, including 51 heads of state—exceeding the number expected to address the United Nations General Assembly later that month. By comparison, only 17 African heads of state attended the 2023 Russia-Africa Summit, a significant decline from the previous summit in 2019..."          more...