South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol failed in his attempt to suspend democratic governance by imposing martial law on Tuesday, but his vague reference to North Korean threats to justify his actions raises the possibility that the politically cornered leader might see an inter-Korean clash as his only hope for deliverance.

Yoon claimed without evidence that the nation was under urgent threat from “North Korean communist forces” when he declared martial law, and his past actions and statements suggest he could provoke Pyongyang to start a conflict in support of his claims.

Top South Korean lawmakers