3rd January 2025 – (Seoul) On 3rd January, North Korean state media reported that South Korea is experiencing “chaos” and political paralysis as investigators attempted to execute an arrest warrant for impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol. The commentary from the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) marks a rare instance of North Korea commenting on the South’s political struggles and does not include quotes from officials.
The report follows Yoon’s controversial martial law decree issued last month, which led to his impeachment and has placed him at risk of arrest, imprisonment, or even a death penalty. On Friday morning, investigators entered Yoon’s presidential residence to carry out the arrest warrant but found themselves in a standoff with his security personnel.
“In puppet South Korea, an unprecedented impeachment took place following the 3rd December martial law incident,” KCNA stated, characterising the political situation as one that is paralysing state affairs and exacerbating social unrest.
The KCNA commentary also noted that foreign media have remarked on South Korea’s deepening political crisis. Additionally, the North Korean outlet described the ongoing turmoil as a contrast to the stability of the North Korean government, as reported by South Korean news agency Yonhap.
Relations between the two Koreas have deteriorated significantly, with North Korea conducting a series of ballistic missile tests last year in violation of UN sanctions. The North has also been sending balloons filled with trash into South Korean territory since May, framing these actions as retaliation against anti-Pyongyang propaganda.
