With the passing of “engagement,” the mood had darkened considerably in Seoul, mirroring a new, bellicose swagger evident around the world among the leading democracies. Confrontation with increasing arms races, demonstrations of strength, and allied summitry were the order of the day.

Kim Yong-bin made his remarks while testifying at a hearing in Yoon's impeachment trial over the president's decision to impose a short-lived martial law on December 3. Yoon deployed troops to the NEC during the martial law and later said the decree was necessary in part because the NEC had been unwilling to address concerns over election hacking.