Russia says it expects events in South Korea to not affect situation in broader peninsula

By Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL (AA) - Russia said on Wednesday that Moscow expects the recent developments in South Korea will not affect the situation in the broader peninsula, as President Yoon Suk Yeol failed in his attempt to impose martial law and now faces impeachment.

“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,” Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said during a news conference in Moscow.

Expressing that Moscow is following the developments unfolding in the country with “concern,” Zakharova called on Russian citizens to stay in touch with the country’s embassy in the South Korean capital.

She further said that the Russian Embassy in Seoul regularly updates both Russian citizens and the general public about the situation in South Korea, recommending the former to be in contact with Moscow’s diplomatic mission in the country.

She also recalled an earlier statement by the embassy, which said that the situation in Seoul and other cities and provinces in South Korea is normalizing after the lifting 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 late Tuesday declared martial law in the country after accusing the main opposition party of sympathizing with North Korea and of anti-state activities. The move, however, was quickly overturned by parliament.

Yoon imposed army rule at 10.25 pm Tuesday (1325GMT) but announced lifting it at 4.27 am Wednesday, (1927GMT, Tuesday). As many as 190 lawmakers in the 300-seat parliament had voted down his move, making it obligatory for him to comply with their motion.

A Cabinet meeting presided over by Prime Minister Han Duck-soo passed the resolution after Yoon backtracked from his decision to impose martial law.

Earlier today, six opposition parties filed separate impeachment motions against Yoon and Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, the latter of which already offered to resign from his post.