Intentional Distancing?
North Korea has not reported at all on the news that the impeachment motion against President Yoon Suk-yeol was passed in the National Assembly the day before, as of the 15th.
North Korean state media, including the external outlet Korean Central News Agency and the Workers' Party organ Rodong Sinmun, which is viewed by North Korean residents, have not covered the related news up to this day.
This lack of response from North Korea contrasts with the situation in 2016 when the impeachment motion against former President Park Geun-hye was passed in the National Assembly. On December 9, 2016, when Park's impeachment motion was approved, North Korea quickly reported the news using the anti-South propaganda outlet Uriminzokkiri within about four hours that same evening.
Later that day, around 9 p.m., the Uriminzokkiri website also published a Korean Central News Agency article titled "Park Geun-hye's Impeachment Passed in National Assembly, President Loses Authority."
At that time, the news agency cited South Korean media reports, explaining that "Park Geun-hye was suspended from all presidential powers and became unable to lead the government."
The difference in North Korea's reporting style compared to 2016 is analyzed as possibly reflecting an intentional distancing from South Korea in line with its declaration of inter-Korean relations as a "hostile two-state relationship."
There may also be a judgment to avoid unnecessarily provoking the South. Given the deployment of a large special forces unit to Russia, escalating tensions between the two Koreas is likely undesirable for North Korea as well.
After President Yoon declared martial law on the night of the 3rd, North Korea remained silent for over a week and only released related reports on the 11th, adopting a cautious tone by quoting South Korean media or foreign news sources.
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