South Korea’s former defense minister Kim Yong-hyun has been detained by prosecutors over his role in President Yoon Suk Yeol’s brief attempt to impose martial law last week. The investigation into allegations of insurrection and other crimes is ongoing.
The opposition claims that President Yoon, along with his government and military supporters, committed a serious crime when they deployed soldiers and police officers to seize the National Assembly, a move that sparked widespread protests and an impeachment effort against the president.
Kim, who had resigned after the martial law plan fell through, was arrested without a court warrant. He claimed that the declaration of martial law followed proper procedures, but his statement has been disputed by prosecutors.
The incident marked the first time South Korea imposed military rule in over four decades. The opposition has filed lawsuits against President Yoon and several high-ranking military officials, including three Army lieutenant generals who have been suspended from their jobs.
The investigation is ongoing, with prosecutors seeking to determine whether President Yoon and his supporters committed insurrection or other crimes. The former defense minister’s detention marks a significant development in the crisis surrounding South Korea’s government.
President Yoon has remained silent since the impeachment effort failed, but his party leader Han Dong-hoon has vowed to push for the president’s early resignation.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/07/world/asia/south-korea-martial-law-defense-minister-arrest.html