Moscow: Russia stated on Wednesday its expectation that recent developments in South Korea will not influence the overall situation on the Korean Peninsula, following President Yoon Suk Yeol’s unsuccessful attempt to impose martial law and his subsequent impeachment proceedings. “We expect that they will not affect the socio-political situation on the Korean Peninsula as a whole. It is already complicated on the Korean Peninsula by the provocative actions of the US and its allies,” remarked Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova during a news conference in Moscow.
According to Anadolu Agency, Zakharova expressed Moscow’s concern over the unfolding events in South Korea and urged Russian citizens to maintain contact with Russia’s embassy in the South Korean capital. She emphasized that the embassy in Seoul continually updates both Russian citizens and the public about the situation and advised them to stay connected with the diplomatic mission in the country.
Zakharova also referred to an earlier state
ment from the embassy, indicating that the situation in Seoul and other regions of South Korea is stabilizing after the cessation of martial law. “At the same time, we also draw attention to the message from our embassy in Seoul recommending that Russian citizens closely monitor developments, refrain from participating in mass events, especially those of a political nature, and also carry the contact phone numbers of the relevant hotline of our embassy,” she added.
President Yoon had declared martial law late Tuesday, accusing the main opposition party of aligning with North Korea and engaging in anti-state activities. However, the parliament swiftly overturned his decision. Yoon imposed military rule at 10:25 pm Tuesday (1325 GMT) but lifted it by 4:27 am Wednesday (1927 GMT, Tuesday) after 190 lawmakers in the 300-seat parliament voted against his action, compelling him to comply with their decision.
A Cabinet meeting led by Prime Minister Han Duck-soo passed a resolution following Yoon’s reversal of the
martial law imposition. Earlier today, six opposition parties submitted separate impeachment motions against Yoon and Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, with the latter already having offered to resign from his position.