Tags: North Korea, South Korea, Yoon Suk Yeol, Impeachment, Martial Law, KCNA, Political Turmoil, Constitutional Court
North Korean Media’s First Response to Yoon’s Impeachment
North Korea’s state media has condemned South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, who was impeached over his controversial martial law decree, calling him the “ringleader of rebellion.” This marks Pyongyang’s first significant comment on the political crisis engulfing Seoul, which resulted in Yoon’s impeachment on charges of “insurrection.”
While North Korea had largely remained silent about the upheaval in South Korea, the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) criticized Yoon’s actions after the South Korean parliament voted to impeach him. The situation stems from Yoon’s decision to declare emergency martial law, which provoked intense political and legal repercussions.
Impeachment Process and Yoon’s Suspension
Following the impeachment vote on Saturday, Yoon has been temporarily suspended from office while South Korea’s Constitutional Court reviews the case. The court has a period of 180 days to make a ruling on Yoon’s future. In the meantime, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo has assumed the role of interim leader.
KCNA’s report further accused Yoon of attempting to shift blame for his “foolish” martial law declaration onto opposition parties. The North’s media outlet also referred to Yoon as a “puppet” of the United States, a common term used by Pyongyang to describe South Korea’s leaders.
Political Uncertainty and Ongoing Investigations
As South Korea faces growing instability, an ongoing investigation has placed Yoon and his associates under scrutiny for the martial law declaration. Yoon has been barred from travel while the investigation continues, and prosecutors have issued a summons for him to appear for questioning regarding the insurrection charges. Yoon, however, refused to comply with the first summons, prompting the prosecution to consider issuing a second one.
Protests both in support of and against Yoon have erupted in the capital, with demonstrators vowing to intensify their pressure as the Constitutional Court deliberates on his fate.
Legal Actions and Arrests
In connection with the martial law decree, South Korean authorities have arrested key figures from the Defence Intelligence Command, including both the current and former heads. Prosecutors are also seeking an arrest warrant for Kwak Jong-keun, the head of the Army Special Warfare Command, who is accused of deploying special forces to the parliament during the martial law incident. This action led to a tense standoff between soldiers and parliamentary staff.
Additionally, the leader of the People Power Party (PPP), which Yoon represents, is facing increasing pressure to step down, especially after initially supporting the impeachment. A press conference is expected to be held by the party head on Monday morning.
South Korea’s Response to Political Crisis
Despite the turbulence, the South Korean government has sought to maintain a sense of normalcy. Acting President Han Duck-soo held a call with U.S. President Joe Biden, reaffirming the strength of the bilateral relationship. Han has also instructed the military to bolster its vigilance against North Korea, which remains in a technical state of war with South Korea.
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