In this column, John Feffer examines the gravity of political accountability in democratic societies through the lens of recent events in South Korea. He highlights the severe implications when an elected leader, specifically Yoon Suk-yeol, attempts to consolidate absolute power through undemocratic means, such as a military coup. The article details Yoon's efforts to declare martial law in December 2024 as a reaction to opposition in the National Assembly, which he labeled 'anti-state'. Yet, this attempt to undermine democracy was met with a robust resistance from opposition members, who not only mobilized to counteract the declaration but also successfully repealed it after breaching police barricades.