Tensions on the Korean Peninsula are rising, primarily sparked by North Korea’s recent deployment of balloons carrying propaganda materials into South Korea. South Korea, in response, has sent drones into Pyongyang three times within eight days. However, external analysts suggest that these events are intertwined with domestic political struggles in South Korea and the burgeoning alliance between North Korea and Russia.
According to a recent survey released by South Korean polling agency Realmeter on the 14th, President Yoon Suk-yeol’s approval rating has plummeted to just 25.8%, while disapproval has surged to 71.3%. This rolling poll, conducted from July 7 to 11, shows a decline of 2.1 percentage points from the previous week, marking a new low since Yoon took office over two years ago. The disapproval rating increased by 3.2 percentage points compared to last week, reaching the highest level during his presidency.
Following the April parliamentary elections, excluding the friendly opposition forces like the Democratic Party, the larger Democratic Party has secured a majority in the 300-seat National Assembly. This situation has left Yoon struggling to navigate the “minority vs. majority” dilemma throughout his five-year term.
Amid public outrage over First Lady Kim Gun-hee’s scandal involving a luxury Dior bag worth 3 million won (approximately $2,208), the South Korean prosecutors opted not to press charges. Nonetheless, media reports suggest that Yoon may be attempting to divert attention from domestic issues with his recent actions regarding North Korea.
Additionally, since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in February, relations between North Korea and Russia have continued to strengthen. Both nations, facing sanctions from the West, signed a comprehensive strategic partnership treaty in June in Pyongyang. Russian President Vladimir Putin has indicated that the treaty obliges both parties to assist each other in the event of external aggression.
This burgeoning alliance not only enhances military and economic cooperation between the two countries but also aims to solidify a united front against the United States. This development has emboldened North Korea, which has long faced international isolation, to escalate its provocations towards South Korea.
