Ayoola Atitebi

Hundreds of thousands of South Koreans demonstrated both for and against impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol in central Seoul as the Constitutional Court considers his political fate. Main thoroughfares through downtown Seoul were packed with opposing protesters carrying political signs and flags despite cold weather conditions. The demonstrations highlight the deepening political divide in the country. President Yoon has been suspended from office since his impeachment by the liberal opposition-controlled National Assembly over his December 3 martial law decree, which has thrown the country into political upheaval. The Constitutional Court is now deliberating whether to formally dismiss him or restore him to power. If removed from office, a presidential election would be held within two months to select his replacement. The ongoing uncertainty has fueled larger weekend protests from both sides. "The people are overwhelmed with fatigue and frustration as... […]

Russian President Vladimir Putin has proposed placing Ukraine temporarily under UN control to elect a "more competent" government, marking another attempt to challenge Kyiv's legitimacy. Ukraine swiftly rejected the suggestion as a "crazy" idea designed to delay peace negotiations. The proposal emerged as the United States seeks to broker a ceasefire in the ongoing conflict, now entering its fourth year. Speaking to a nuclear submarine crew in Murmansk, Putin suggested a temporary UN administration could facilitate democratic elections and bring a government "trusted by the people" to power. He proposed discussing this approach with the United States, European countries, and Russia's partners. Moscow argues that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is illegitimate, claiming he has remained in power beyond his term. However, Zelensky's extended tenure is legally justified by martial law and the practical challenges of holding elections during wartime, with […]

Russia has indicated that Western sanctions must be partially lifted before implementing a maritime ceasefire with Ukraine, complicating recent peace negotiations. Hours after the US announced separate deals halting strikes in the Black Sea, the Kremlin outlined specific conditions, including revoking sanctions on state agricultural bank Rosselkhozbank and restoring Swift international payment system access for Russian financial institutions. Simultaneously, Moscow launched a drone attack on Mykolaiv, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky interpreting this as a clear signal of Russia's reluctance for peace. The EU and its allies had originally suspended Russian banks' Swift access to disrupt payments for energy and agricultural exports. Reversing these sanctions would require EU approval, which appears uncertain given recent statements supporting Ukraine. US President Donald Trump suggested Russia might be attempting to delay ending the war, stating, "I think that Russia wants to see an […]