Since South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law on December 3, only to see the declaration reversed by parliament hours later, all eyes have been on South Korea. In an interview at the Legislature this Monday, Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍) informed the press that the ministry is following the situation closely.
Lin said they are keeping abreast of current affairs through their contacts at the Taipei Mission in Korea. He emphasized that, as Taiwan and South Korea are both a part of the first island chain, they share mutual interests. Given this year is an election year, the governments of many countries are experiencing political tumult as administrations change, Lin said, and this necessitates close attention.
Regarding the controversial statement issued by the DPP caucus last Tuesday that seemed to favorably compare South Korea’s political situation to Taiwan’s and imply support for martial law, Lin said it has not been mentioned in his discussions with South Korean contacts.
Yoon suddenly announced martial law last Wednesday evening, citing the need to eliminate “anti-state” forces in parliament whom he believed sympathized with the North Korean regime. Martial law was only in effect for about six hours before parliament voted to overrule the president. Yoon now faces calls from opposition party members and the public to step down as president, but has so far avoided impeachment.