South Korea’s ex-defence minister formally arrested over martial law imposition
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A formal arrest warrant was issued earlier for Mr Kim Yong-hyun, who had already been detained on Dec 10.
PHOTO: AFP
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SEOUL - South Korea’s former defence minister has been formally arrested on insurrection charges related to President Yoon Suk Yeol’s brief declaration of martial law, which plunged the country into chaos, a court spokesperson said early on Dec 11.
Mr Yoon suspended civilian rule a week ago and sent special forces and helicopters to Parliament, before lawmakers forced him to rescind the decree in a country assumed to be a stable democracy.
A formal arrest warrant was issued late on Dec 10
Charges included “engaging in critical duties during an insurrection” and “abuse of authority to obstruct the exercise of rights”.
Two top police officials were also taken into custody in the early hours of Dec 11, as the investigation into the political turmoil caused by the martial law declaration gathered pace.
A spokesperson for the Seoul Central District Court told AFP early Dec 11 that Mr Kim’s formal arrest came amid concerns that evidence might be destroyed.
It was determined that Mr Kim’s alleged offences “fall within the scope of crimes for which the prosecution can initiate an investigation
Mr Kim was contrite on Dec 10, saying that “all responsibility for this situation lies solely with me”.
He “deeply apologised” to the South Korean people and said that his subordinates were “merely following my orders and fulfilling their assigned duties”, in a statement made through his lawyers.
Earlier on Dec 10, Army Special Warfare Command chief Kwak Jong-geun told lawmakers that Mr Yoon had ordered him to stop enough MPs from gathering at Parliament to vote down the martial law decree.
“The President called me directly through a secret line. He mentioned that it appears the quorum has not yet been met and instructed me to quickly break down the door and drag out the people (lawmakers) inside,” Mr Kwak said.
Lawmakers also passed a motion on Dec 10 to appoint a special counsel to investigate
Vandalised offices
Mr Yoon’s ruling party said it is forging a “resignation roadmap” that reportedly could see him step down in February or March before fresh elections, while the opposition plans to organise an impeachment vote every Saturday.
A day after Mr Yoon was barred from travelling abroad, the authorities banned more top officials from leaving the country
Already under a travel ban are the former defence and interior ministers and martial law commander, General Park An-su, who along with other top brass was grilled by lawmakers on Dec 10.
Mr Yoon narrowly survived an impeachment effort in Parliament on Dec 7 as tens of thousands braved freezing temperatures to call for his ouster.
The motion failed after members of Mr Yoon’s ruling People Power Party (PPP) boycotted the vote
The offices of ruling party lawmakers were being vandalised, local media said on Dec 10, with one image showing a door covered in what appeared to be ketchup, and eggs and flour scattered on the floor.
Protesters also were sending condolence flowers to the offices, typically reserved for funerals, to express their opposition to the boycott, with signs reading “insurrection accomplices”.
Local police in Seoul’s Dobong district told AFP that an unspecified “weapon” was found in front of PPP lawmaker Kim Jae-sub’s residence, and he has requested additional security.
‘Second coup’
At least several hundred protesters held more rallies late Dec 10 outside the National Assembly, waving glow sticks and holding signs that read “Impeach Yoon Suk Yeol, the insurrection criminal”.
A protester carries a sign that reads “Impeach Yoon Suk Yeol” during a rally in Seoul on Dec 10.
PHOTO: REUTERS
Protesters attend a rally calling for the impeachment of South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol in front of the National Assembly in Seoul on Dec 10.
PHOTO: REUTERS
The PPP says that Mr Yoon, 63, has agreed to hand power to the prime minister and party chief, prompting the opposition to accuse it of a “second coup”.
A party task force was reportedly reviewing two options for a way forward, including for Mr Yoon to resign in February with an April election, or to step down in March with a vote in May.
With the opposition holding 192 seats in the 300-strong Parliament, only eight PPP members need to vote in favour of a new impeachment motion for it to pass.
Last week, two PPP lawmakers – Ahn Cheol-soo and Kim Yea-ji – voted in favour, and two more said on Dec 10 they would support the motion this time.
Mr Ahn, a self-made multi-millionaire, trained doctor and software designer, told AFP on Dec 9 that he was booed and heckled at a party meeting.
“The idea that a president responsible for upholding the Constitution of the world’s 10th-largest economy would stage an unconstitutional coup is beyond imagination,” Mr Ahn said. AFP
