What North Korea Isn’t Saying About South Korea’s Martial Law Could Be a Ticking Time Bomb

On Monday, Colonel Kim Hyun Tae, commander of the 707th Special Mission Battalion, held a press conference at the War Memorial of Korea in Yongsan, Seoul. Meanwhile, North Korea’s state-run newspaper, Rodong Sinmun, remained silent about South Korea’s martial law situation. This newspaper, widely read in North Korea, had previously covered “anti-Yoon protests” in South Korea since President Yoon Suk Yeol’s inauguration, often publishing detailed reports with multiple photographs.

Before September 30, these reports were published on Tuesdays, but the timing shifted to Mondays afterward. On December 2, Rodong Sinmun even covered a rally organized by the Candlelight Action group on September 30, titled “Overthrow Yoon Suk Yeol for Gun Hee’s Protection and Ukraine Involvement.”

Other North Korean media outlets, such as Korean Central Television and the Korean Central News Agency, have also refrained from reporting on the situation in South Korea.

While Yoon’s abrupt declaration of martial law has thrown the nation into chaos and led to an impeachment vote within a week, Rodong Sinmun has refrained from its usual Monday coverage of anti-government protests in the South. Even when reports surfaced that former Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun had considered retaliatory strikes against balloon launch sites, Pyongyang chose to stay silent.

Experts warned that North Korea’s lack of response is a calculated move. From their perspective, refraining from provocation is a strategic choice, particularly when South Korea is already revealing sensitive, top-secret information.

North Korea is known for withholding reports on sensitive issues. So far, it has not informed its domestic audience about South Korea’s martial law or impeachment proceedings, the U.S. re-election campaign of Donald Trump, or the potential deployment of North Korean troops to Ukraine.

Analysts believe North Korea’s media restraint is likely strategic. Reporting on the lifting of martial law and the impeachment process, which has sparked massive anti-government protests, could risk inspiring the North Korean populace. Having observed South Korea’s dynamic democracy, such as during the impeachment of former President Park Geun Hye, Pyongyang may have decided that interference could backfire.

The ongoing leak of military secrets during this period further supports North Korea’s cautious stance. From their viewpoint, there is no need to intervene when classified information is being exposed without their involvement.

Several sources have disclosed sensitive military information, including claims that former Minister Kim sent drones to Pyongyang in October and ordered strikes on balloon launch sites. Detailed reports about the South Korean military’s armament levels during martial law have also emerged.

Dr. Park Won Gon, Director of the Institute for Unification Studies at Ewha Womans University, cautioned that the leaked information is highly classified, regardless of its accuracy. He noted that North Korea could use this to challenge the international community and that it could prompt the U.S. to assess the extent of sensitive information South Korea has shared.

“This is an extremely concerning situation,” Dr. Park emphasized.

Another military security expert added, “The military, the National Intelligence Service, and even the opposition party are disclosing information that should remain confidential. The opposition, having governed before, should understand better. Regardless of the president’s actions, publicly discussing details like ‘when and how training was conducted’ or ‘how troops were armed’ is unacceptable.”