North Korea commented on the political instability in South Korea for the first time, stating that the country is in “chaos” due to President Yoon Suk Yeol’s one-night imposition of martial law.
North Korean state media reported on Yoon’s attempt to suspend civilian rule by using military force at parliament last Tuesday, describing it as an act of fascist dictatorship that brought chaos across South Korea. It also added that the international community is observing, as the event exposed weaknesses in South Korean society and could potentially end Yoon Suk Yeol’s political life.
Yoon justified the declaration to eliminate anti-state elements and protect the nation from North Korea’s communist forces. Currently, relations between the two nations are at their lowest point, with both sides offending each other.
In addition to President Yoon, opposition lawmakers have accused former defense minister Kim Yong-Hyun of attempting to provoke a conflict with North Korea as a pretext for declaring martial law. They claim he tried to initiate strikes on North Korean sites, including its capital Pyongyang.
According to local reports, Kim, who was detained for his involvement in the insurrection, attempted suicide in his eastern Seoul detention facility. The head of the correctional center confirmed that his life is no longer in danger, and he has been moved to a protective cell.
Meanwhile, President Yoon’s office was raided by the police to gather evidence, although Yoon was not present at the time. In addition to the president’s office, raids were also conducted at the offices of the Seoul Metropolitan Police and the National Assembly Police Guards.
The chief of South Korea’s Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials stated that they would arrest Yoon if the necessary conditions were met. Additionally, South Korea’s National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik announced that he is using his authority to push for the formation of a special committee to investigate Yoon.
All of these events come as opposition lawmakers, civil groups, and protestors continue to call for Yoon’s removal from office. South Korea’s main opposition Democratic Party (DP) is now preparing a second impeachment motion, a vote that Yoon narrowly survived last Saturday. However, this may face difficulty as members of Yoon’s party have since left parliament.
