South Korea Slogs Through a Long Winter of Discontent

South Korea has been on a political roller coaster since early December, when the president imposed martial law before backing down a few hours later. Bloomberg’s Denny Thomas brings us up to date on the turmoil and what might come next. Plus: Kendrick Lamar by the numbers and a post-inauguration episode of Elon, Inc. If this email was forwarded to you, click here to sign up.

In the predawn hours on Jan. 15, police in riot gear gathered in Hannam-dong, the posh Seoul neighborhood that’s home to K-pop stars, tech tycoons—and the official residence of South Korea’s president. In temperatures well below freezing, officers hiked through the forests surrounding the hillside compound occupied by the disgraced Yoon Suk Yeol, cutting into barbed wire, scaling ladders and clambering over buses intended to block access.

Yoon, 64, who faces insurrection charges for a failed attempt to impose martial law last month, had repeatedly defied orders to appear for questioning. Last week, he initially followed the same playbook, hunkering down when investigators closed in. Local media soon began livestreaming the drama as the weak winter sun rose over the mansions and embassies.