This story discusses suicide. If you or someone you know is having thoughts of suicide, please contact the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255).

North Korea issued a statement on Wednesday, denouncing South Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol’s government as a “fascist dictatorship” in response to his unsuccessful attempt to impose martial law.

Following a week of silence, the Kim regime, through its official news agency KCNA, addressed the failed martial law declaration, which was blocked by South Korea’s legislature.

KCNA’s report described President Yoon’s actions as a desperate measure taken amid a severe governance and impeachment crisis. The report characterized the declaration as the reckless act of a fascist dictatorship wielding “guns and knives,” and noted the widespread public condemnation and calls for impeachment, including from the opposition party.

The statement further claimed that the international community views the incident as revealing vulnerabilities within South Korean society and potentially signaling the imminent end of President Yoon’s political career.

Although the legislature prevented the imposition of martial law earlier this month, a subsequent impeachment vote against President Yoon failed. Investigations into the president’s actions are ongoing.

Kim Yong Hyun, a former defense minister, attempted suicide while in detention following the president’s declaration, but was prevented by officials.

The main liberal opposition party intends to hold a second impeachment vote against President Yoon this Saturday, stemming from his attempt to impose martial law.

According to Shin Yong Hae, commissioner general of the Korea Correctional Service, who testified before a parliamentary committee on Wednesday, Kim Yong Hyun’s suicide attempt occurred overnight at a Seoul detention center and was thwarted by officials.