r/MadeMeSmile 19h ago

Good News Way to go South Korea!

9.3k Upvotes

140 comments sorted by

940

u/laurawolffs 19h ago

such a big win for the Korean citizens!

519

u/Anothermindlessanon 19h ago

Great to see an example of a functioning democracy in these rather dark times!

Well done, South Korea! May your future be bright and prosperous!

95

u/Sskity 19h ago

Now all they need to do is lock Johnny somoli up for a long time!!

30

u/BringBackRoundhouse 14h ago

I like how Korean streamers made a daily game out of who could find and smack him

19

u/UriGuriVtube 18h ago

They honestly need to do to set an example of other streamers.

6

u/raceraot 17h ago

Unfortunately, they're not looking so well right now, based on the data.

16

u/Acro227 9h ago

Yea their democracy is still ran by a major corporations like Samsung, who own enormous sway over society. They are the closest thing to a cyberpunk dystopia we currently have in the world, and thats why people are sounding the alarm on its population dwindling. At least they still have the power and gumption to oust the mf before he could become the second Park Chung Hee.

17

u/donorcycle 15h ago

And democracy. If only another country could do the same. Not trying to point fingers or name names...

10

u/BubblyTinkerBellee 18h ago

Hats off. Big respect for them

8

u/Unlikely_Emu1302 17h ago

It's a win for the entire free world.

1

u/firefloodfire2023 14h ago

Ya, and only if…

1

u/firefloodfire2023 14h ago

Ya, and only if…

122

u/Frosty-Camera9321 18h ago

Meanwhile Americans are asleep at the wheel

2

u/Side44 3h ago

Wake up!

477

u/SpegalDev 19h ago

Yeah, so, how do we do that here in America?

165

u/Dirt_E_Harry 19h ago

We give Trump and the Republicans enough rope to hang themselves. Midterms will be fascinating. I'm 100% on board with his ridiculous tariffs.

128

u/ExtremestUsername 18h ago

Do you belive Trump will willingly give up power if you elect someone else?

That seems wierd to me as a european. He has no reason to leave power at this point, and the USA don't have a mecanism for removing a president who choses to stay.

58

u/OratioFidelis 18h ago

Elections are decentralized. He can try to say "I'm still president" but it'll only work if the military listens to him, and his approval rating among soldiers is not high enough to pull that trick.

70

u/ExtremestUsername 18h ago

But the courts already decleared that nothing he does while in office can get him arrested.

He's immune.

He could literally have Congress killed and it would be legal.

The American system has spent 200 years centralizing power into just one position.

If he would ignore the election, who is responsible for removing him? So far you seem to have relied exclusively on the idea that power will transfer peacefully by the president stepping down.

The Senate even confirmed last time that leading an attack on Congress was not a abuse of power.

19

u/OratioFidelis 18h ago

He doesn't have to agree to step down, according to the Constitution he ceases being president on inauguration day unless he's been certified by the electoral college. Which again comes down to having military support to suspend the Constitution, which he probably won't have after four years of turning the economy into a smoldering crater and other scandals.

2

u/ExtremestUsername 18h ago

I hope the people in power who have everything to gain by not sharing your interpretation of the transfer of power shares your interpretation of the transfer of power.

Best of luck to you.

6

u/OratioFidelis 17h ago

So why didn't the January 6 insurrection work, if that's the case?

23

u/Donquers 17h ago

Because he didn't have enough loyalists on his side at the time. Now he does.

You've all been conditioned to believe that "because democracy," the system and all the corruption in it will always just work itself out. That evil people can be in power and it's fine because "checks and balances," and "no one will let that happen."

You are deluded.

-3

u/OratioFidelis 17h ago edited 17h ago

Because he didn't have enough loyalists on his side at the time. Now he does.

Where? On the Supreme Court, that's virtually unchanged? In the military, that's virtually unchanged? Hesgeth is definitely more willing to order troops to shoot protesters than Miller was, but I don't think troops are more likely to carry out that order.

What he does have is a shitload more money, and right-aligned news and social media outlets are more brazen about allowing him to lie. But I'm not sure Trump has the ability to marshal those resources effectively. He's even more delusional than he was in 2021 when his first attempt failed.

You've all been conditioned to believe that "because democracy," the system and all the corruption in it will always just work itself out. That evil people can be in power and it's fine because "checks and balances," and "no one will let that happen."

I haven't said any of those things. I'm going off of cold, hard facts here. Trump isn't more popular, his loyalists aren't smarter than they were before, and people are even more pissed off that the economy is crashing without COVID to blame it on.

You are deluded.

I have found that democracy is more likely to win in the end when people don't immediately surrender like you are right now. A large portion of power of fascists is their ability to act like their victory is inevitable, which you're falling for hard.

→ More replies (0)

10

u/Superjoe42 17h ago

He can be impeached and removed by Congress, but the bar is ridiculously high, and Republicans have no courage to stand up to him.

Alternatively, a judge could hypothetically have him arrested for an offense such as contempt of court, but the Supreme Court is on his side and this also seems very unlikely.

Realistically, we are waiting for him to mess things up extremely badly so public opinion turns against him and influences Congress, but I'm not counting on it with our propagandistic media.

5

u/ExtremestUsername 16h ago

In my country parliament only need a vote of no confidence to remove the leader, so the bar for removing a leader is quite low.

We only vote for the parliament members, and they have to form the executive branch based on the current balance of power there.

This also removed the problem of "spoiler candidates", as the third party candidates still weilds proportional power. And they naturally hinder gridlocks.

1

u/GlitteryOndo 13h ago

To be honest, having the president/prime minister be the one who directly leads the largest party in parliament isn't great for separation of powers and that's what usually happens en European parliaments. All systems have their flaws. (I'm European btw)

6

u/Stardustquarks 18h ago

We saw what happened on Jan 6 when he didn’t win. It’ll be that again, but potentially in greater numbers (including plenty of foreign mercs in there that MAGA will be paying. I hope every true American (non-MAGA to be specifically clear) is ready to stand up to the maga fucks when they try to force something

0

u/Unlikely_Emu1302 16h ago

They are not, they don't even vote. Literally a cultist is telling them he will take over if given the chance and less then half the people even vote. Americans are soft, weak, and are being rug pulled while they eat burgers made of spoiled meat and bread made from petrol.

Its MAGA world now.

6

u/MacDonniesWifi 18h ago

He will leave or he’ll be made to. If our government won’t take care of it, it’ll be up to the citizens. Protests. Riots. Idc what it takes, we are not gonna have a god damn monarch/dictator in this country. Especially not that asshole.

6

u/Dirt_E_Harry 18h ago

I don't fret about things I can't control, nor do I care to speculate on what may happen. The best I can do is vote.

0

u/[deleted] 17h ago edited 17h ago

[deleted]

0

u/Dirt_E_Harry 17h ago

I can absolute give a shit about my country and not fret. I, however, don't give a shit about an internet stranger telling me how I SHOULD feel.

-1

u/[deleted] 17h ago

[deleted]

2

u/Dirt_E_Harry 16h ago

Yeah, I don't report to you on what I do. I find it hilarious how upset you are because you don't think I do enough to your liking, even though you can't possibly know what I do.

-1

u/[deleted] 16h ago

[deleted]

2

u/sahi1l 17h ago

We do, it's called "building security". A moderately intimidating guard would be enough to chase him out of the building. His allies are the problem.

1

u/DinaFelice 3h ago

He ceases to be president on January 20, 2029. Period. He's not eligible to run again (nor is he eligible to be voted for by the electoral college) so it isn't dependent on who does win the election in 2028, we already know that it isn't going to be him.

The mechanism to remove him if he refuses to go is the same as removing any other person trespassing on the grounds of the White House: the secret service will physically remove any person who is not permitted to be there. With as much force as is necessary to accomplish the goal.

BTW, this includes those agents who will be assigned to protect him as a former president...their primary job will be to keep him alive, and they will bodily remove him from a dangerous location in order to accomplish that (and the White House is a dangerous location if you aren't supposed to be there).

6

u/Im__mad 15h ago

Start by showing up tomorrow and getting everyone you know who is upset about what’s happening to join you.

90

u/WhoWantsMyPants 19h ago edited 17h ago

I've been celebrating for them here in TX. I followed the whole marshal law situation minute by minute when it happened. This is a huge win for the South Korean people

Edit: : marshal situation law changed to marshal law situation. Not sure what happened there

8

u/lylynatngo 15h ago

Can you do a quick synopsis for dummies?

13

u/AdamTrung21 5h ago
  • Dude thinks he might get impeached
  • Declare martial law to keep power
  • Military doesn’t even know he did this so he had barely any support
  • Got shut down pretty quickly and now have another thing pile on for impeachment

I didnt follow as closely but this is the gist of it. If you want more details hopefully someone who understands it better can give it or you can google for a more formal report.

39

u/junkmail0178 18h ago

I wish Americans were this politically involved

58

u/AcrobaticProgram4752 18h ago

Hey usa.. hint hint

24

u/bootyloaf 18h ago

As an American, I am happy for South Korea. I wish we were like that here in the United States.

16

u/kendragon 18h ago

"Turns and looks expectedly at the US."

12

u/Hippiefarmchick 19h ago

Lucky them! Our cotus needs to be impeached

13

u/Wakomata 18h ago

Me when Trump is finally “dealt with “ 🇨🇦

22

u/antilegion1001 17h ago

Sweet, can we get one of those impeachments in the US?

-21

u/SmirkingSkull 15h ago

Make shit up for what, the fourth time? You honestly think they would let Trump out of his impeachments if they could actually prove anything.

8

u/Jackaroni97 13h ago

Doesn't the right give false info, and have little evidence to get things passed (only through loyalists and not democracy)? Aren't they the ones that have "made shit up" all the time about being "woke", or "gender propaganda" or the "terrible DEI program"?

Which part?

-3

u/SmirkingSkull 11h ago

Hmm, almost like I've said vote every incumbent out. None of them are doing their jobs.

Each side blames the other, and promises they'll change the way things are done but nothing does.

It's a see saw between Democrats and Republicans. Instead of what should be a balancing act. Working and compromising to actually get shit done. All its been for at least a decade is shouting matches and collecting paychecks.

2

u/Jackaroni97 7h ago

I don't disagree with you. Politics has become less about cooperation and serving the people. More about money, fame, and power. I never thought in my lifetime I would have to see all of this. Regardless when shit hits the fan, no matter what side. We are in it together.

At this point it's just The People v. The System

0

u/ethanlan 7h ago

You honestly think they would let Trump out of his impeachments if they could actually prove anything.

Yes because that's exactly what they did lol. They had proof everytime.

Republicans are not fans of democracy it's pretty obvious at this point.

9

u/Heureusementmoi 18h ago

Congratulations Korea!

9

u/shadowgathering 17h ago

Great job South Korea! Canada loves you! <3

7

u/MermyuZ 15h ago

So moving to see the entire south korean youth assembled

15

u/ShokaLGBT 17h ago

When South Korea is beating the US at tolerance. And people were saying how Asian countries are closed minds and don’t accept stuff etc etc…

Honestly it’s so heartwarming to see this, everyone should take example and move forward with tolerance not hate.

7

u/Background_Glove_367 18h ago

If congress and the house would have the courage to do the same for the united states!

8

u/Limp_Acanthisitta412 16h ago

10 points from Germany 👋🏻😎

13

u/WhatDidYouSay_1234 15h ago

I’m so sick of any positive news about the political climate in the world being immediately overtaken in the comments by people talking about the USA. Can we just fucking celebrate something good happening without immediately using it to complain about another unrelated country?

5

u/AnthonyGSXR 18h ago

💪🇰🇷

6

u/jadeite_jelly15 17h ago

Oh lucky them

7

u/ReviveOurWisdom 15h ago

THIS is democracy manifest!!!

16

u/AcrobaticProgram4752 18h ago

Hey usa... hint hint

4

u/demogorgeous133 18h ago

USA cant relate

6

u/Physical-Doughnut285 15h ago

Stating something overplayed here but here is another example of why South Korea will always be more prosperous than North Korea. It’s not perfect, far from 100% fair, but democracy is alive and beautiful.

4

u/Dull_Spot_8213 14h ago

Always remember you are the many and they are the few.

3

u/Adventurous_Row3305 18h ago

We need this in America.

3

u/lostdrewbie 17h ago

Exactly how it is supposed to be done. Great Job 🇰🇷 The people in action.

3

u/Diogekneesbees 16h ago

Wish the US has this kind of courage. Well done SK!

3

u/Im__mad 15h ago

I dream about this moment in America. I feel the relief for them through the screen and want to feel it so badly for us and for my family and myself. I want to feel it so badly, it hurts.

3

u/AvocadoBrick 3h ago

This is what a land of freedom looks like

4

u/CBusMarkyC 17h ago

As an American I'm jealous beyond words

4

u/fissionchips 18h ago

God we need this

2

u/TrueBeachBoy 15h ago

God I wish that was me

2

u/autumnwolfmoon 13h ago

This is a big deal for South Korea. Many in the older generations tend to lean conservative, so seeing some of them take a stand against discrimination and in support of democracy is truly inspiring. It's a beautiful thing to witness.

2

u/jxxam 12h ago

Friendship ended with USA, now South Korea is our best friend.

2

u/[deleted] 12h ago

France prosecuted a former president. South Korea impeached and imprisoned theirs—twice. Meanwhile, Trump incites an insurrection, hoards classified documents, defies subpoenas, defrauds taxpayers, threatens judges, and purposely crashes our economy—and we’re still hand-wringing over “norms”? He’s not a political martyr. He’s a career criminal who used the presidency as a shield and a payday. Impeach him. Indict him. Lock him up. This isn’t partisan—it’s basic accountability.

2

u/Imaginary_Comb_8240 11h ago

Let’s go USA, follow suit and Impeach the Orange Clown

2

u/secretdrug 11h ago

makes me happy for the south koreans. makes me sad that other countries are now better examples of democracy than the US.

2

u/RandManYT 11h ago

"In a Democracy nothing changes unless we act". If only US citizens understood that too. This nation needs to get off its lazy ass, step away from the keyboard, and actually go out and use their voice. Nothing will change if a hashtag hits trending, but things will change if people band together and peacefully publicly protest.

2

u/Ozworth_Williamsberg 9h ago

Can you come help show us Americans how to do that, please…

2

u/VG_Crimson 9h ago

Absolutely fuckin poweful news <3

Especially in times like this across the pond, where Orange Bafoon is reigning like a mad man. It's invigorating to see a democracy function correctly for once, unlike our oligarchy we have to suffer through.

2

u/Remarkable-Bird-4489 7h ago

We can do this! Not easy, not without real risks, but with sustained, nonviolent protests not for just one day but growing day after day until the Trump MAGA fascists can’t push through their agenda. Connect with RefuseFascism.org asap

2

u/rbark220 6h ago

A true democracy. I wish America was that cool.

2

u/Ilovemiia1 5h ago

Good for Korea! Now let’s do this ourselves America!

2

u/Ok_Durian8772 4h ago

Koreans doing democracy waaaaaaay better than USA. At least they can impeach a shitty president

2

u/folksgotmad 3h ago

Congrats South Korea! We have been looking for something like this in Türkiye for 23 years.

2

u/Kayy0s 1h ago

"In a democracy, nothing changes unless we act."

2

u/Vast_Chemistry_8630 54m ago

India needs a lesson.

4

u/riley6reid9 19h ago

Can sm1 pls explain

22

u/FlyLikeHolssi 18h ago

It's complicated.

At the end of 2024, then-President Yoon declared martial law in South Korea and prevented legislators from entering their government building. He was facing some issues within the government, but it was seen by almost every person in South Korea as a huge overstep and abuse of power. It was ultimately revoked, and they impeached Yoon for his declaration of martial law.

Initially, the person who took over from Yoon, Han Duck-soo, refused to appoint people to the Court to fill seats, which was impacting/delaying the final ruling against Yoon. It required a full 6 votes to uphold the ruling to impeach, but there were only 6 justices on the court so the measure was likely to be defeated. As a result, Han was also impeached.

Today, though, the courts finally upheld the impeachment of President Yoon, allowing the country to move forward with new elections in the future.

It has been a long road for the South Korean people to receive justice for the declaration of martial law, so what this video shows is the celebration of that justice being achieved ♥

2

u/trebleclef8 18h ago

Well this Han Duck-soo guy doesn't seem so nice either, hopefully I'm wrong.

1

u/FlyLikeHolssi 17h ago

As far as I understand it, one argument that was made against replacing the justices was that it would be inappropriate since the President's seat wasn't "vacated" but was rather dependent on the impeachment.

You can see that gets a bit circular when the impeachment is what is being determined by the courts.

Han's replacement appointed two justices but not the third, and subsequently spurred his own impeachment motion. He was spared from this because Han's impeachment was ultimately overturned and Han is acting president again until the snap elections, which should be later this year.

It is a mess of a situation.

-13

u/Frosty-Camera9321 18h ago

Do you live in a cave?

2

u/TaintFraidOfNoGhost 17h ago

We are going to need organized mass protests in the usa.

4

u/THE_Zerelex 16h ago

Hopefully we get the same here

3

u/LogicKennedy 18h ago

Really worrying to see so many South Koreans who supposedly didn’t support his removal, to be honest. And baffling to see so many of them with MAGA hats and US flags… I didn’t realise the Trump cult was so deeply embedded in South Korea, especially considering how cozy he’s been with Kim Jong-Un.

3

u/hand_ 18h ago

The US thing was there way before Trump, he's just the newest flavor of the month for those people

1

u/LogicKennedy 18h ago

Fair: considering US influence in South Korea, it’s understandable that some people would feel very dependent on the US and feel the need to support and copy them through thick and thin. But even if it’s understandable, it’s very stupid.

Hyper-capitalism in SK seems like it’s a root cause of a lot of issues that are going to hit the country in the next few decades, some of which already are starting to be major problems (like extreme misogyny and rising fascism).

1

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1

u/Interesting_Site_567 13h ago

we gotta get this in the us

1

u/Jackaroni97 13h ago

America... come on, we are lazy and compliant in comparison to other countries. Get to the streets and stop taking the shit.

1

u/dark_lord_chuckles 13h ago

I’m glad at least other countries are getting good outcomes.

1

u/AngeloDeVita 13h ago

Must be nice - an American

1

u/nando2315 13h ago

That could be the USA, but we're not like everyone else, I guess

1

u/kelly_the_human 13h ago

Yoooo! Huge congratulations!

1

u/Jerhomie1995 12h ago

I'm jealous, can we lock up the orange imbecile running the US now?

1

u/Dr3uV1nce 12h ago

This made me emotional especially with the pride flags. Love wins fuck discrimination ❤️

1

u/GTFOakaFOD 12h ago

Color me jealous

1

u/HandsomeHippocampus 12h ago

Congratulations from Germany!  What a great day for South Koreans.

1

u/rtrrrrrrrfkfkkckc 10h ago

Merica your turn

Dummies

1

u/DJDEEZNUTZ22 9h ago

tRump is next! Congrats South Korea this was hard fought 🇰🇷

1

u/ethanlan 7h ago

I love all the pride flags!

1

u/endofmankind- 6h ago

Whoever is on tape xill be executed in a years time to send a message and set an example 💔💔💔😂😂😂

1

u/Mythicdragon75 4h ago

Congratulations South Korea!! Now go make more zombie movies and TV shows! Kingdom season 3 needs released!

1

u/OkFlow1550 4h ago

Soft generation bring back the old 20th century 1980s

1

u/PrinceCorum13 3h ago

Inspiration for some leaders like Vladimir, Viktor, Georgia, or Donald 🙂

1

u/yourdad0922 1h ago

Uhhhhhh okay?

u/purdue_fan 5m ago

Never thought i would see the day when Korea looks more democratic than the US, yet here we are.

1

u/Khrushka 14h ago

Unless things drastically change their country's population is already on a course to wipe south Korea off the map, I wish them the best

1

u/ZenibakoMooloo 11h ago

Nothing will change. They'll keep getting plastic surgery, listening to KPop, being subserviant to the Chaebol and be shouting for the next president's resignation within a year.

1

u/totochen1977 10h ago

Love to see many rainbow flags there. LGBT community is always standing at the front of democracy.

0

u/hamidinthehouse 12h ago

Sad, another nation took a step forward to societal decline

0

u/testman22 5h ago

The funny thing is that this isn't necessarily good news. Because the SK left leans towards China/North Korea.

The next SK administration will say that China is more important than the US.

-6

u/AphraHome 16h ago

You know America is fucking up royally when South Korea seems like the progressive country (I do not mean this as that ‘oj South Korea they suck’ or anything, just that the orange mango overseas is a litteral felon and is allowed to fuck over the world from his high horse seat)

-5

u/[deleted] 16h ago

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1

u/MadeMeSmile-ModTeam 10h ago

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-8

u/Revolutionary-Try206 18h ago

Didn't they reinstate the last corrupt president to fill the spot till elections. Korean government be like South Vietnam was before it was united, corrupt as fuck. I remember that other President they had was as slow as Biden when involving disasters, when the ferry sank with all the students on board. The frigging captain was like the government, they saved their skins and abandoned everyone.