North Korea's First Report on Martial Law... "Yoon's Puppet Aims Guns and Knives at the People"

North Korea Resumes Criticism of South Korea After a Week of Silence

After the declaration of martial law, North Korea, which had stopped criticizing the South and was observing the situation, began reporting on the martial law situation. It criticized President Yoon Seok-yeol, who is facing impeachment, accusing him of pointing the "gun of dictatorship" at the people. Concerns are being raised that North Korea could exploit the chaotic situation in the South.

As the impeachment motion against President Yoon Seok-yeol failed to pass due to a lack of quorum caused by the collective abstention of People Power Party lawmakers, citizens gathered in front of the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the afternoon of the 9th, urging the impeachment of President Yoon. On the same day, the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions held a candlelight rally at 6 p.m. in front of the National Assembly, followed by a candlelight protest organized by civic groups at 7 p.m. Photo by Jo Yong-jun

Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported on the 11th, "In the puppet South Korea, social unrest has expanded due to the martial law situation, and more than one million people across the country have carried out protest actions demanding the impeachment of Yoon Seok-yeol." This is the first time a North Korean media outlet has reported on the martial law news. It was also published in the Rodong Sinmun, which is read by residents.

The agency stated, "The puppet Yoon Seok-yeol, who is in a serious impeachment crisis, declared martial law in injustice and shamelessly pointed the gun of fascist dictatorship at the people, a shocking incident occurred," adding, "Several helicopters and fully armed martial law troops, including the gangster groups of the Army Special Warfare Command, were deployed to block the National Assembly."

It further claimed, "Yoon Seok-yeol, who is about to be immediately removed from power, has committed a mad act reminiscent of a coup d'?tat during the military dictatorship regime decades ago, which has provoked strong condemnation from various sectors including the opposition parties." In addition, it reported in relatively detailed terms the impeachment motion proposal and voting led by the opposition centered on the Democratic Party of Korea, as well as the rally situation in Yeouido, including the content of the placards.