South Korea: Nine Military and Police Officials Charged Over Martial Law Involvement

Synopsis

On February 28, South Korean prosecutors indicted nine military and police officials for their roles in the blockade of the National Assembly during President Yoon Suk Yeol's brief martial law declaration on December 3, 2022. The Constitutional Court is expected to decide on Yoon's impeachment in mid-March.

Key Takeaways

Nine officials indicted without detention.
Charges include participation in National Assembly blockade.
Involvement in martial law declaration.
Constitutional Court decision expected mid-March.
Potential snap election if Yoon is removed.

Seoul, Feb 28 (NationPress) The prosecution in South Korea announced on Friday the indictment of nine military and police officials without detention on allegations of their roles in the blockade of the National Assembly and the formation of an arrest team during President Yoon Suk Yeol's brief declaration of martial law on December 3 of last year.

The individuals facing trial include Lee Sang-hyun, commander of the 1st Airborne Brigade; Kim Hyun-tae, head of the Army Special Warfare Command's 707th Special Mission Group; Mok Hyun-tae, former leader of the National Assembly Police Guards; Kim Dae-woo, chief of the Defence Counterintelligence Command's investigation unit; Yoon Seung-young, director of the National Office of Investigation's investigation planning and coordination; and Park Heon-su, head of the Defence Ministry Investigation Headquarters.

Additionally, some of these officials face charges related to their involvement in the occupation of the National Election Commission buildings and the arrest of its officials, as reported by the Yonhap news agency.

At the same time, the South Korean Constitutional Court is anticipated to make a decision regarding the potential removal of President Yoon Suk Yeol from office or his reinstatement around mid-March.

The court concluded the trial after 11 sessions, 73 days following the National Assembly vote to impeach Yoon due to his brief martial law declaration on December 3.

The impeachment motion accuses Yoon of breaching the Constitution and failing to adhere to legal procedures, including not holding a Cabinet meeting and neglecting to inform the Parliament.

Yoon has contended that his martial law declaration was a governance measure intended to caution the Opposition party against its continuous attempts to impeach government officials and reduce the government budget.

If Yoon, elected in May 2022 for a single five-year term, is officially removed, a snap election is mandated within 60 days. Conversely, if the impeachment is rejected, Yoon will instantly return to his duties.