Moments of political turmoil have a way of rippling beyond borders. When a nation’s leadership faces internal strife, adversaries often seize the chance to weigh in, stoking tensions further.
In South Korea, an extraordinary political crisis has erupted, capturing attention on both sides of the Korean Peninsula.
What began as a domestic controversy has drawn sharp criticism from North Korea, with its state-run media branding South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol as a “rebel leader,” according to Digi24.
Also Called 'Puppet'
On December 3, Yoon invoked martial law, citing threats from “North Korean communist forces” and frustrations over stalled budget negotiations.
The controversial decision was met with swift backlash, forcing him to reverse course just six hours later following public outrage and political pressure.
The fallout has been severe. Parliament voted on December 9 to impeach Yoon, launching a formal review by South Korea’s Constitutional Court.
The court now has up to six months to determine whether to uphold the impeachment, a move that would trigger new presidential elections within two months of a final decision.
North Korea responded to the crisis with fiery language, accusing Yoon of destabilizing his nation. KCNA, the North’s official news agency, referred to him as the “chief of rebellion” and stated:
“The investigation into puppet Yoon Suk Yeol, the head of rebellion, and his accomplices is underway.”
If the impeachment is upheld, Prime Minister Han Duck-soo will serve as interim leader. Han has already vowed to maintain stability during the transition.
Legal experts believe the impeachment is likely to succeed, given the accusations of constitutional violations tied to Yoon’s brief martial law declaration.
