North Korea has weighed in on South Korea's political crisis, condemning President Yoon Suk Yeol's brief imposition of martial law as an "insane" and "desperate" move reminiscent of a military dictatorship. The comments mark Pyongyang's first response to the tumultuous events that have plunged one of Asia's most stable democracies into political uncertainty.
North Korean state media KCNA reported Wednesday on what it described as "social unrest" in South Korea following Yoon's December 3 martial law declaration. The decree was swiftly rescinded under pressure from lawmakers and public outrage, but not before it exposed deep divisions within South Korea's political landscape and left Yoon facing impeachment proceedings.
"The puppet Yoon Suk Yeol, who had already faced a serious crisis of governance and impeachment, declared martial law unexpectedly and unleashed the guns of the fascist dictatorship on the people," KCNA stated. The report accused Yoon of betraying democratic principles, sparking public condemnation and widespread protests.
Yoon's martial law decree, ostensibly to counter perceived threats from North Korea and domestic "anti-state elements," led to the deployment of special forces and military helicopters around key government buildings. The move drew comparisons to past authoritarian regimes in South Korea, further fueling criticism from opposition lawmakers and protesters.
Tensions escalated when reports emerged that Yoon's former defense minister, Kim Yong-hyun, allegedly advocated for provocative military actions, including targeting sites launching North Korean propaganda balloons and deploying drones to Pyongyang. Kim was arrested Tuesday, accused of attempting to provoke conflict as a pretext for the martial law declaration.
North Korea's response underscores its opportunistic use of the crisis to criticize its southern neighbor. "The shocking incident...wrought chaos across South Korea," KCNA said. The Rodong Sinmun, North Korea's official newspaper, published photos of protests in Seoul, where demonstrators wielded banners and symbols like K-pop light sticks to express their discontent.
While Yoon survived an impeachment motion on Saturday, the opposition Democratic Party, which holds a parliamentary majority, has vowed to continue pursuing his removal. A new impeachment vote is expected this weekend, requiring at least eight members of Yoon's ruling People Power Party to join opposition ranks for the motion to succeed.
Internationally, Yoon's actions have drawn scrutiny. Critics have pointed to the erosion of public trust in his administration and the potential risks of a power vacuum in a region already fraught with geopolitical tensions. Relations between the two Koreas are at their lowest in years, with frequent North Korean missile launches and ongoing propaganda exchanges exacerbating hostilities.
Observers have also highlighted the implications of Yoon's crisis for South Korea's alliance with the United States and its standing on the global stage. Yang Moo-jin, president of the University of North Korean Studies in Seoul, noted that North Korea has been cautious in its rhetoric, likely to avoid destabilizing its own military amid ongoing deployments in Russia to support Moscow's offensive in Ukraine.
Domestically, Yoon faces mounting challenges. Protests have drawn tens of thousands of South Koreans to the streets, demanding his resignation despite freezing temperatures. Public confidence in his administration has plummeted, with opponents accusing him of authoritarianism and recklessness.
"The international community is sternly watching, with assessments that the martial law incident exposed vulnerabilities in South Korean society," North Korea's commentary concluded.
For now, Yoon remains in office, but his future and the stability of South Korea's democracy hang in the balance.
