'Martial law' crisis continues in South Korea: Former Defense Minister detained
It has been reported that former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, who is alleged to have suggested that President Yoon Suk Yeol declare martial law on the night of December 3, has been detained in South Korea.
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According to the South Korean news agency Yonhap, Kim Yong-hyun was detained after testifying at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office regarding his role in the declaration of martial law.
As part of the investigation into Yoon and his ministers on suspicion of treason, the former minister was taken into custody, his mobile phone was seized, and police conducted searches of his home and office.
The Ministry of National Defense had previously confirmed that it was Kim who suggested that Yoon declare martial law. Kim, the former head of the Presidential Security Service, is known as a close associate of Yoon.
One day after the incident, on December 4, Kim apologized to citizens for causing public anxiety and turmoil with the declaration of martial law. Stating that the soldiers who carried out duties related to martial law received all instructions from him, Kim noted that he took full responsibility and had informed Yoon of his intention to resign.
President Yoon accepted former Minister Kim's resignation on December 5 and nominated Choi Byung-huk, South Korea's Ambassador to Saudi Arabia and a retired general who previously served as commander of the ROK-U.S. Combined Forces Command, as his successor.
MARTIAL LAW DECLARATION IN SOUTH KOREA
President Yoon Suk Yeol declared martial law in a televised address on the night of December 3, citing "opposition involvement in anti-state activities," but backtracked after the parliament voted to lift the decision and the Cabinet approved it.
Accusing the opposition of "preventing the government from functioning," Yoon had argued that martial law was "intended to eliminate pro-North Korean forces and protect the constitutional order of freedom."
Following the declaration of martial law, the Ministry of National Defense had instructed commanders in the military to hold meetings and called for them to be on high alert. Meanwhile, it was reported that soldiers assigned as "martial law troops" had entered the National Assembly.
In an emergency session held at the National Assembly, a motion to lift the martial law decision was passed with the votes of 190 lawmakers. The Office of the National Assembly Speaker announced that martial law had become "null and void" following the vote.
Upon this, Yoon convened the Cabinet and announced that he had ended martial law following the Cabinet's approval.
The main opposition Democratic Party (DP) and five smaller opposition parties had submitted a motion to the parliament to impeach the president on the grounds that Yoon's declaration of martial law was unconstitutional and illegal.
The motion, which required the approval of 200 lawmakers to pass, was not accepted as it failed to reach the necessary number of votes.