South Korea announces policy shift amid North Korea's continued missile tests
Supporters of impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol shout slogans during a rally near the Constitutional Court in Seoul on 25 Jan 2025, to express their objection to Yoon's impeachment. Image credit: Wikimedia Commons
6 February 2025
With South Korea scaling back its anti-North Korea focus and North Korea conducting two missile tests since the start of the year, these developments highlight the ongoing tensions and political shifts in the region.
By Katie Zeng Xiaojun, Analyst
Recent developments on the Korean Peninsula have drawn significant international attention. In December 2024, President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law in South Korea citing "anti-state activities" and "threats posed by North Korea" as the primary reasons. The declaration was met with immediate backlash, leading to widespread protests and calls for Yoon's resignation. The National Assembly convened an emergency session, and martial law was lifted just hours after it was declared. Concurrently, North Korea continued its missile tests, including several short-range ballistic missiles. The United States responded by flying a long-range bombers in a trilateral drill with South Korea and Japan. These events highlight the ongoing tensions and political shifts in the region.
President Yoon Suk Yeol is currently detained and facing legal challenges. He was impeached and arrested following his declaration of martial law. The protests in South Korea have not subsided. Thousands of South Koreans continue to participate in rival rallies. The political situation remains tense, and demonstrations are ongoing, especially in the capital, Seoul.
South Korea has scaled back its anti-North Korea focus in its 2025 policy plans. The unification and defence ministries have downplayed President Yoon’s policies like “freedom-based unification” amid his ongoing impeachment trial. The new policy objectives emphasise stable management of the Korean Peninsula situation and establishing a foundation for unification. The change reflects South Korea’s effort to distance itself from President Yoon’s more controversial policies ahead of his likely impeachment.
North Korea launched several short-range ballistic missiles on 14 January 2025, which landed in the Sea of Japan. This was the second missile test of the year, following an intermediate-range ballistic missile launch on 6 January. This weapon demonstration was conducted ahead of Donald Trump’s return to the White House. North Korean state media did not specify any policy plans or mention any specific comments about Trump. It is unknown if North Korean leader Kim Jong Un will change its anti-US policy after Trump takes office.
It is unlikely there will be a resolution to the disputes in the short term. While widespread conflict is unlikely for now, these ongoing issues are ever present and do have the potential for future concern.
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