Pyongyang: North Korea's state media has, for the first time, acknowledged the results of South Korea's presidential election, announcing that Lee Jae-myung has been elected as the new leader. This unprecedented report was released on Thursday, marking a shift in North Korea's approach to its southern neighbor's political affairs.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) mentioned that the South Korean presidential election took place on June 3, following the ousting of former President Yoon Suk Yeol. The KCNA noted that Yoon was removed from office due to his controversial attempt to declare martial law in December. The state media's report was concise, simply stating that Lee, representing the Democratic Party, secured the presidency.
The Rodong Sinmun, North Korea's primary newspaper targeting its domestic audience, also featured the report two days after the election. This coverage marks a departure from North Korea's usual silence regarding South Korea's political developments, especially following the ousting of Yoon.
Historically, North Korea's media outlets have been critical of South Korea's elections and political environment. However, recent trends indicate a shift, with North Korea abstaining from commentary on the South's political climate. Analysts suggest this change aligns with Kim Jong-un's characterization of inter-Korean relations as those between "two states hostile to each other" in late 2023.
In past elections, North Korea has shown varying levels of engagement. Two days following the 2022 presidential election, North Korea reported on Yoon's victory, identifying him as the candidate from the conservative opposition. Similarly, the Choson Sinbo, a pro-North Korean publication in Japan, reported on Moon Jae-in's election win in 2017, just a day after the vote. In contrast, it took a full week for North Korea to acknowledge Lee Myung-bak's election in 2007. For the 2012 election of Park Geun-hye, North Korea's report was delayed by two days and notably omitted her name, merely stating that the Saenuri Party candidate won by a narrow margin.