South Korea: Former Defence Minister Addresses Martial Law Allegations Against Yoon

Seoul, Jan 23 (NationPress) The former Defence Minister of South Korea, Kim Yong-hyun, on Thursday minimized the accusations linking President Yoon Suk Yeol to his brief declaration of martial law while testifying as a witness for the president in his impeachment proceedings.

Currently detained due to his alleged involvement in the December 3 martial law announcement, Kim appeared at the Constitutional Court for the fourth hearing of the trial, which President Yoon also attended.

When questioned by Yoon's defense team regarding whether Yoon had ordered the deployment of a “small number” of troops contrary to Kim's advice to mobilize a larger force of up to 60,000, Kim confirmed, “Yes.”

Kim stated, “It was not what I had envisioned, but since it was President Yoon’s directive, I complied and prepared accordingly.” He expressed skepticism about the feasibility of enforcing martial law and inquired of the president if it was indeed martial law.

During the session, Yoon refuted assertions that the martial law declared last month was unsuccessful.

“It was not a failed martial law; it simply concluded a bit earlier than anticipated,” he stated. “The National Assembly promptly called for the lifting of martial law, and once the resolution to end it was passed, I quickly summoned and instructed former Minister (Kim) and Army Chief of Staff (Gen. Park An-su) to retract it.”

Yoon asserted that his order to mobilize troops was “legal” and that the military had operated within that framework.

Kim faces allegations of advising Yoon on martial law and drafting the official decree.

He dismissed claims that Yoon commanded troops to storm the National Assembly in an effort to prevent lawmakers from rejecting the decree, clarifying, “The intent was to monitor individuals attempting to disrupt order and permit selective entry.”

The former minister indicated he had directed troops to the headquarters of the main opposition Democratic Party and a polling organization, but later rescinded that order upon Yoon's directive.

Kim also noted he removed a section of the decree after Yoon reviewed it and expressed concern about the public inconvenience that a curfew would cause.

Additionally, Kim acknowledged providing a note to Finance Minister and current acting President Choi Sang-mok, instructing him to establish an “emergency legislative body” on the day martial law was declared, clarifying that it was a note drafted by one of his staff members, not by Yoon.

“I requested the finance ministry to secure reserve funds as there might be unforeseen budget expenditures following the imposition of martial law,” he added, according to the Yonhap news agency.

Yoon is currently held at a different detention facility after a court in Seoul authorized a warrant for his formal arrest on Sunday.

This marked the second occasion he attended the trial, having been transported from the Seoul Detention Centre in Uiwang, located south of the capital.

In a previous hearing, Yoon denied ordering troops to forcibly remove lawmakers from the National Assembly during the martial law attempt.

The legal team representing the impeached president has indicated that Yoon will be present for all subsequent hearings if feasible.