South Korea’s Yoon accused of using China as a ‘scapegoat’ in martial law defence

South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol’s legal team has cited unsubstantiated claims of Chinese and North Korean election meddling to justify his short-lived martial law decree, a move analysts described as irresponsible, warning it “could spark international disputes”.

In a 62-page document submitted to the Constitutional Court, which is currently deliberating on whether to have the impeached president removed from office, Yoon’s lawyers accused the liberal opposition of being “anti-democratic gangs” capable of election fraud.

The document echoed unsubstantiated claims proliferating on far-right YouTube channels in South Korea, which Yoon is reportedly a follower of.

“They want to turn this nation into a colony of China and North Korea, backed by China’s financial power,” the defence argued.

Choi Jin, head of the Institute for Presidential Leadership, criticised Yoon for irresponsibly fuelling allegations of Chinese meddling without evidence.

“The president should avoid making statements that could spark international disputes, even if intended only for domestic audiences,” Choi told This Week in Asia.

  

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