News analysis Confidence in Seoul's part in trilateral grouping shaken

Yoon's botched martial law move could hit security pact between Japan, US and South Korea

- Walter Sim

SINGAPORE/TOKYO - A botched attempt by South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol to impose martial law calls into question the country's reliability as a major security partner, at a time when South Korea is playing an increasingly significant role in regional affairs.

The episode has shaken regional confidence in the country's part in a trilateral grouping that includes Japan and the United States, as well as a budding rapprochement with Japan, amid rising tensions in the Taiwan Strait and an assertive North Korea.

With opposition lawmakers having tabled a motion to impeach Mr Yoon, much hinges on whether he is ousted and who will fill his seat. If developments pave the way for a Democratic Party (Minjoo) president, conditions may be conducive for a third Donald Trump-Kim Jong Un summit, one analyst also suggests.

Claiming that his decision was intended to defend South Korea against "North Korea's communist forces" and "anti-state" activities by opposition lawmakers, Mr Yoon declared martial law on the night of Dec 3, only to be forced to walk back on his announcement after lawmakers successfully overturned the decision with a parliamentary majority hours later.

While Mr Yoon did not elaborate on the new nature of this threat from its northern neighbour, Pyongyang has, over the past year, bombed railways and roads connecting the two countries, jammed civilian aircraft flying out of Incheon airport, and launched a series of trash balloons across South Korea.

North Korea also tested its longest-range intercontinental ballistic missile to date and sent troops to aid Russia in its war against Ukraine.