Georgy Toloraya, CEO of the National Committee on BRICS Research in Russia and one of Russia’s leading experts on Korea, commented on the situation in South Korea. Toloraya told EIR that there is general chaos since the failed effort to declare martial law by President Yoon Suk Yeol on Dec. 2. Everyone was surprised, even shocked by the move, he said, and it is far from clear what will result from the chaos. Yoon is unlikely to survive as President, but it is not clear that the opposition Democratic Party will be able to take over the government.
As to the effort of Yoon and his People Power Party to portray the opposition Democratic Party as supporters of North Korea, Toloraya said that the former President Moon Jae-in, who was the leader of the Democratic Party and President from 2017-2022, had agreed with the North Korean government to curtail the tight relations with the U.S., and especially to reduce or end the military exercises with the U.S. Moon, however, was unable to do so, and the North Korean government cut relations, and remains suspicious of the Democratic Party generally. The current party leader, Lee Jae-myung, Toloraya believes, could potentially come to power, but is also facing a criminal case, which could disqualify him from running. The opposition is also divided and may not stay together to defeat the conservatives in an election.
China’s relations with Yoon were very difficult, and they probably look forward to someone better. Relations with Russia have also been strained as Yoon joined the attack on North Korea’s military agreement with Russia and the (still unconfirmed) report of North Korean soldiers fighting in Russia against Ukraine.
Toloraya has also spoken at a number of Schiller Institute events.
