In response to North Korea’s actions escalating tensions in the region, the South Korean government has given the military an order of “full readiness.” North Korea previously stated that it would respond to “provocations and threats from enemy countries” in order to observe its nuclear capacity.

According to Yonhap, speaking at an emergency meeting of the National Security Council, Han called on the army to be “completely” ready to protect the people and livelihoods in the face of North Korea’s ongoing “military threats.” Han also addressed the changing economic and political conditions following the reinstatement of US President Donald Trump in a national address. He stated that he had instructed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to increase diplomatic efforts to strengthen cooperation with the US and other allies, emphasizing, “I will use all my knowledge and skills to secure our national interests in the now established reality of a trade war.” North Korea Reacts to Maritime Exercise

According to the North Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the Pyongyang administration responded to the joint maritime exercise held by the US, South Korea, and Japan on March 17-20. Pyongyang argued that the true purpose of this exercise was to observe North Korea’s nuclear capacity, stating that they would respond to “provocations and threats from enemy countries.” Imposition of Martial Law in South Korea

President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law on the night of December 3, 2024, in a televised speech citing “opposition involvement in anti-state activities,” but later stepped back after the decision was struck down in a parliamentary vote and approved by the Cabinet. Yoon, facing impeachment in a vote of the National Assembly on December 14, 2024, was temporarily suspended from duty until the Constitutional Court’s ruling, during which time Prime Minister Han Duck-soo was appointed as an acting president.