South Korea’s Ex-Defense Minister arrested Over Alleged Role in Martial Law
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SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — South Korea’s former defense minister, Kim Yong Hyun, was formally arrested on Wednesday over his alleged involvement in the imposition of martial law last week. The move comes as authorities investigate whether the actions of President Yoon Suk Yeol and his associates amount to rebellion.
The declaration of martial law, the first in over 40 years, lasted only about six hours but sparked widespread protests and a domestic uproar. Yoon and his associates now face criminal investigations and impeachment attempts. The Justice Ministry has banned yoon and eight others from leaving the country, marking the first time a sitting president in South Korea has been placed under a travel ban.
The Seoul Central District Court approved an arrest warrant for Kim, accusing him of playing a key role in rebellion and committing abuse of power. The court cited the importance of his alleged crime and the risk of evidence destruction as reasons for the arrest. Kim,a close associate of Yoon,resigned on Thursday and has been detained since Sunday. Prosecutors have up to 20 days to decide whether to indict him.A conviction on the charge of rebellion could result in the death penalty.
Kim has been accused of recommending martial law to Yoon and sending troops to the National Assembly to block lawmakers from voting on it.Despite these efforts, enough lawmakers managed to enter the parliament chamber and unanimously rejected Yoon’s decree, forcing the Cabinet to lift it before daybreak on December 4.
In a statement on Tuesday, Kim said, “I deeply apologize for causing meaningful anxiety and inconvenience.” He added that all responsibility for the imposition of martial law rests solely with him and pleaded for leniency for the soldiers deployed to enforce it,stating they were only following his orders.
The opposition-controlled parliament passed a bill on Tuesday to appoint an independent special counsel to investigate Yoon and other top military officials over the introduction of martial law. The main opposition Democratic Party argues that public prosecutors cannot be trusted to conduct a thorough examination of Yoon, a former prosecutor-general.
during a parliamentary hearing on Tuesday, Kwak Jong-keun, commander of the Army Special Warfare Command, testified that he received direct instructions from Kim to obstruct lawmakers from entering the National Assembly’s main chamber. Kwak said the purpose of Kim’s instructions was to prevent the 300-member parliament from gathering the 150 votes necesary to overturn Yoon’s martial law order.
Kwak also revealed that Yoon later called him directly and asked for the troops to “quickly destroy the door and drag out the lawmakers who are inside.” Kwak said he discussed Yoon’s order with the commander at the scene and concluded there was nothing that could be done, ruling out the possibility of threatening the lawmakers by shooting blanks or cutting off electricity.
The ongoing investigations and legal proceedings underscore the gravity of the situation and the potential far-reaching consequences for those involved. As the country grapples with the aftermath of the martial law declaration,the focus remains on ensuring accountability and upholding democratic principles.
In a dramatic turn of events, South Korea’s political landscape has been shaken by allegations of martial law abuse, with President Yoon suk-yeol at the center of the storm. The controversy deepens as revelations emerge about an army bunker in Seoul,where politicians and key figures were reportedly detained following the imposition of martial law. This move, orchestrated by Yoon, has sparked outrage among opposition parties and legal experts, who argue that the president’s actions are unconstitutional.
yeo Woon-kil,a high-ranking military official and a close ally of kim Yong-hyun,has been implicated in the detention saga. Last week, Hong Jang-won, a deputy director of South Korea’s intelligence agency, revealed that yoon had instructed him to assist Yeo in detaining political rivals. However, Hong chose to ignore the president’s directive, a decision that has since added fuel to the fire of rebellion charges against Yeo, Kwak, Yoon, and Kim. In response to the mounting pressure, the Defense ministry has suspended Yeo and Kwak.
Opposition parties and legal analysts contend that the martial law decree was a gross violation of the constitution.They argue that martial law can only be declared during times of war, war-like situations, or national emergencies, none of which were present in South Korea. The deployment of troops to seal the National Assembly, effectively halting its operations, is seen as an act of rebellion, as the South Korean Constitution does not permit the use of military force to suspend parliamentary activities under any circumstances.
In his martial law announcement, President Yoon, a conservative leader, emphasized the need to “rebuild the country by eliminating shameless North Korea followers and anti-state forces,” a thinly veiled reference to his liberal rivals who control the national Assembly. Since assuming office in 2022, Yoon has been embroiled in a series of conflicts with the main liberal opposition Democratic Party, which has launched impeachment motions against several of his top officials and has been relentless in its political offensive over scandals involving Yoon and his wife.
Despite the mounting pressure, Yoon narrowly avoided impeachment on Saturday, as moast governing party lawmakers boycotted the floor vote in the national Assembly. The Democratic Party, though, is undeterred and has announced plans to prepare for a new impeachment vote on Saturday. The party has also submitted motions to impeach yoon’s police chief and justice minister. Efforts to impeach Kim Yong-hyun and the safety minister were initiated, but both resigned before the National Assembly could take a vote.
If President Yoon is impeached, his presidential powers will be suspended until the Constitutional Court decides whether to restore his powers or remove him from office. Should he be removed, a new presidential election will be required, setting the stage for a pivotal moment in South Korea’s political future.
south Korea’s Political Crisis: An Interview on Martial Law Allegations
In light of the recent political upheaval in south Korea, following allegations of martial law abuse and the subsequent arrest of former Defense Minister Kim Yong-Hyun, we delve into the implications of these events. Our guest today is Dr. Han Soo-Jin,a political scientist specializing in South korean governance and constitutional law. In this interview, we explore the unfolding controversy surrounding President Yoon Suk-yeol and the legal ramifications for those involved.
The Allegations Against President Yoon
Senior editor: Dr. Han, what do you make of the allegations against President Yoon Suk-yeol regarding the imposition of martial law? How serious are these claims?
Dr. Han: The allegations are quite serious. It’s unprecedented in South Korea for a sitting president to declare martial law,especially in a democratic context. The actions taken under Yoon’s orders,including the detention of political figures and the sealing of the National Assembly,have drawn intense scrutiny and are being framed as potential rebellion. Such accusations indicate a troubling disregard for constitutional limits.
Legal Implications of Martial Law
Senior Editor: Can you explain the legal framework surrounding martial law in South Korea? Under what conditions can it be declared?
dr. han: According to the South Korean Constitution,martial law may only be declared in times of war,in war-like situations,or during national emergencies. The use of military force against the National Assembly and political rivals, as Yoon has been accused of, is a violation of these principles and can be challenged legally. The political context in which this occurred further complicates the situation, as it appears to be a direct attack on democratic processes.
Reactions from Opposition Parties
Senior Editor: How have opposition parties responded to President Yoon’s actions and the allegations against him?
Dr. Han: The opposition, particularly the Democratic Party, has reacted with outrage.They argue that yoon is abusing his power and have initiated impeachment motions, highlighting their determination to hold him accountable. The call for an independent examination reflects a broader distrust of the existing prosecutorial system, given that Yoon has strong ties to law enforcement and legal entities.
Public Sentiment and Protests
Senior Editor: What is the public sentiment in South Korea regarding these developments? Have we seen notable protests?
Dr. Han: Yes, public sentiment is largely against President Yoon following his martial law declaration. There have been widespread protests, and many citizens are alarmed at what they perceive as an authoritarian move. The events have rekindled fears of past military and authoritarian rule in Korea, prompting significant public backlash and demands for accountability.
The Future of South Korea’s Political Landscape
Senior Editor: Looking forward, how might these events reshape South Korea’s political landscape?
Dr. Han: The potential for impeachment and the ongoing unrest could considerably alter the dynamics within South Korea’s political landscape. If Yoon were to be removed from office, it could lead to a paradigm shift, influencing not only the structures of power but also voter sentiment in subsequent elections. The current crisis may pave the way for new political movements and a re-evaluation of democratic norms in South Korea.
Conclusion
Senior Editor: Thank you, Dr. Han, for sharing your insights on this critical issue.The allegations against President Yoon and the actions taken in relation to martial law will undoubtedly have lasting implications for South Korea’s democracy.
Dr.Han: Thank you for having me. It will be engaging to see how this situation unfolds in the coming weeks and months, and the potential consequences for leadership and governance in South Korea.
