How are you defining “normal?”

I think the main thing is that Korea’s government still has some fear of its people, which is very, very important. Enough stupid moves and millions of citizens can be on your doorstep (see Park Geunhe).

Yes, there’s a bunch of corruption. Yes, working culture blows. Yes, birth rates have been tanking for a reason (but reversed recently?!).

But there’s a reason those soldiers heading to the parliament building had no ammo except one guy in a squad with less lethal rounds. There’s a reason the martial law was ended so quickly. There’s a reason Yoon is actually getting his on a reasonable timescale.

In Korea, once you hit that tipping point of people realizing you’re a dick, you’re gonna have a real bad time.

Functioning checks and balances on extreme government corruption and fascism.

Unfortunately, that’s how low the bar is these days…