On the 18th, Stephen Cho, the coordinator of the Korea International Forum delivered a political situation analysis at Maison des Mines in Paris, France, under the theme ‘Martial Law and Impeachment: Where is Korea Headed?
The panel included Aymeric Monville, representative of the International Committee for Democracy in South Korea and the member of the Pole of Communist Revival in France; Patrick Kuentzmann, secretary general of the French-Korean Friendship Association; and Coulibaly Adama, secretary general of the Pan-African Unified Dynamics (DUP).
First, the coordinator’s commentary, ‘Comment on the Impeachment of Yoon Suk-yeol,’ was delivered in French.
He said, “I will not repeat the contents of the article. But the keyword is local war. Yoon Suk-yeol clique is provoking it against DPRK and trying to declare martial law in the event of an actual war. However, DPRK did not respond to the provocation with any action, showing strategic patience.”
He elaborated on the operations of the special forces of the ‘ROK’ at the time, stating, “after Yoon Suk-yeol declared martial law, a special unit known as HID—a covert military forces against the DPRK that disguises itself in Korean People’s Army uniforms to assassinate key figures in the DPRK—was reportedly preparing around Seoul. Since it was not wartime, the justification for the martial law was weak, so they attempted to fabricate a false-flag operation against the ‘ROK’.” and adding, “They tried to stage a fake scenario claiming that the ruling party representative, Han Dong-hoon, was assassinated by the Korean People’s Army.”
He stressed that “In the process of an interview with a Korean broadcaster, Brad Sherman, a member of the House of Representatives and Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Asia, the Pacific, and Nonproliferation, mentioned the self-fabricated scenario against the ‘ROK’. In short, the US not only knew in advance about the coup (including the declaration of martial law) and the staged scenario in Seoul but also appears to have actively participated in its planning. Essentially, the US manipulated the coup from behind the scenes.”
He went on to say, “As I mentioned earlier, the failure to provoke a local war against the DPRK was a major factor (in the collapse of the martial law plan). With numerous notable deficiencies in the process of Yoon Suk-yeol’s clique pushing for a coup, they opted to minimize their losses by severing ties, akin to cutting off a lizard’s tail. I believe they ultimately abandoned Yoon Suk-yeol at a certain point and transitioned to Plan B.”
He further noted, “France and Italy are imperialist countries whereas the ‘ROK’ is a colony, which represent a qualitative differences. However, in terms of GDP per capita, the ‘ROK’ is approaching the level of advanced Western European countries, and the Korean people take great pride in this. That is why this coup cannot be tolerated. Can you imagine such a coup taking place in France?”
He also said, “When we understand the situation of martial law and impeachment in Seoul, we must keep two things in mind. The ‘ROK’ is a complete colony of the USA, and the military part of it is very thoroughly controlled.”, “The DPRK is the most thoroughly socialist country. In the current context of the third world war, it has become an even greater target of hatred for U.S. imperialism.”
In addition, he emphasized, “What the reformist forces in the ‘ROK’ never address are anti-US, alignment with the DPRK, and world anti-imperialism,” and “these three perspectives are the key to resolving the fundamental contradictions of the ‘ROK’.”
In particular, he analyzed, “I view this martial law as the first phase, with preparations already underway for a second martial law.”
“In Eastern Europe, Ukraine has provoked Russia over Kursk, while in West Asia, rapid changes are unfolding, including the potential collapse of the Assad regime in Syria. In this context, as wars initiated by imperialism continue to spread, East Asia is no exception,” he added.
He further pointed out that “after Trump elected, there was the lifting of long-range missile restrictions in Ukraine and the collapse of the Bachar al-Assad regime in Syria, and in between, on December 3, there was martial law in the ‘ROK’,” and dismissed it as “imperialist forces are provoking wars more frequently, more strongly, and more recklessly than ever before in order to turn the tide of the ongoing third world war, which is currently underway, into an irreversible trend before Trump takes office.”
In the panel discussion, Patrick Kuentzmann, Secretary General of the French-Korean Friendship Association, said, “The speech on January 15, 2024 was a severing of inter-Korea relationship,” and “It was the first time in history that the DPRK had taken such a firm stance, and it did not end with just a speech. It is not surprising that war could break out tomorrow.”
“In this context, Yoon Suk-yeol launched a coup. I want to explain the context in which he was cornered to the point where he had no choice but to take the risk,” he added.
Coulibaly Adama, Secretary-General of the Pan-African Unity Dynamic (DUP), said, “First of all, I would like to congratulate the people of South Korea. Korean people have prevented fascism.” He also emphasized, “I would like to congratulate the progressive forces, including the People’s Democracy Party, for their role in this. The fact that so many people were able to come out is possible because of the political activities that took place before.”
He went on to say, “As I listened to the explanation, I was reminded of the situation in Africa,” and emphasized, “They said that South Korea was a colony of the United States, but there have been anti-government rallies and protests by the people in Kenya recently. The reason the president can stay in power is because the United States is behind him,” and “It is to maintain NATO in Africa.”
He stated, “Imperialist forces are conducting the same kind of schemes in South Korea as they have in Africa. Faced with a question of survival, imperialism inevitably chooses war. Meanwhile, the masses in Africa are becoming increasingly conscious. We will honor the heroic struggle of the South Korean people, learn from their example, and join forces to vigorously advance anti-imperialist struggles across African nations.”
Aymeric Monville, the representative of the International Committee for Democratic Freedom in South Korea noted that “The martial law and war maneuvers highlighted by Stephen evoke memories of the 1950 situation, right before the war.”
He added, “Similar provocations have occurred in regions where the United States has initiated wars around the world. These provocations should escalate into actual conflicts. Human history has unfolded this way, and there has never been coincidence in it.”
Furthermore, he stressed “it is unreasonable to believe that someone like Yoon Suk-yeol has no connection with the United States. Could he have undertaken such actions without U.S. consent? He would not have been able to.” He also warned that the possibility of a second martial law and a coup d’état cannot be ruled out.
He remarked, “The U.S. is attempting this strategy here and there. Syria has collapsed, but Korea has not. In that sense, this should be considered a significant historical victory.” He added, “The front lines are shifting now, and I don’t believe it is a coincidence. The focus of the front is moving toward the Pacific Ocean. Standing in solidarity with comrades in the countries at the forefront of this shift is not merely a moral obligation but a political responsibility that extends far beyond that.”
The questions and discussions were continued. The questions were raised, including “what the prospects for the ‘ROK’ are moving forward” and “what actions international organizations in solidarity with the People’s Democracy Party and the Korean people should take.”
In response, Stephen said, “We have merely prevented the march toward fascism. It is true that we remain within the framework of bourgeois democracy and general democracy. The consciousness of the people needs to be further awakened. We must advance towards a people’s democracy, a democracy that places workers and the masses at the genuine center of society.”
He went on to say, “I have a high opinion of the DPRK’s strategic patience in not responding to any provocations from the ‘ROK.’ Had the DPRK responded, the situation could have escalated into war in the ‘ROK,’ leading to the success of the military coup on December 3. However, if we objectively examine the situation on the Korean Peninsula, there are numerous indications that imperialism is attempting to ignite a war in the ‘ROK,’ much like it has in Eastern Europe and Western Asia.”
