South Korea: Former Capital Defence Chief Asserts Innocence in Martial Law Proceedings
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Synopsis
On January 23, the ex-chief of South Korea's Capital Defence Command, Lee Jin-woo, claimed innocence during a martial law hearing, stating he acted under orders from impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol. Lee faces serious charges related to a brief martial law declaration on December 3.
Key Takeaways
- Lee Jin-woo asserts innocence in martial law case.
- Claims he acted on orders from President Yoon.
- Indicted for alleged insurrection involvement.
- Calls for a trial suspension until Constitutional Court's decision.
- Military dismisses Lee and three other commanders.
Seoul, Jan 23 (NationPress) The former leader of the Capital Defence Command in South Korea, accused of involvement in impeached President Yoon Suk Yeol's brief martial law initiative, proclaimed his innocence on Thursday, asserting that he was merely executing military orders received from Yoon.
Lee Jin-woo, the ex-Army commander facing allegations of playing a 'critical' role in an insurrection and misusing his authority in relation to Yoon's martial law declaration on December 3, made this assertion through his legal representative during a preliminary hearing at a court martial in Seoul.
Lee is charged with instructing the deployment of military personnel to the National Assembly and directing them to enter the Assembly premises to remove lawmakers.
"The defendant is a soldier operating under the authority of the military commander-in-chief," Lee's attorney stated, emphasizing that Lee believed the President's martial law announcement was a legitimate action sanctioned through the appropriate legal framework.
The commander's lawyer further highlighted that Lee had no desire to incite an insurrection, arguing that the court martial proceedings should be paused until the Constitutional Court reaches a verdict on Yoon's case, as reported by Yonhap news agency.
"The defendant's conduct was a military response to a superior's directive with no intention of disrupting the national constitution," the lawyer articulated.
Last month, Lee was indicted by the special investigation unit of the prosecution and is currently under physical detention.
Earlier this week, the military confirmed the official dismissal of Lee along with three other senior officers due to their alleged involvement in the failed martial law attempt.
On the same day, Yoon arrived by motorcade at the Constitutional Court to participate in the fourth hearing of his impeachment trial.
This marks Yoon's second personal appearance at a hearing regarding his controversial yet short-lived martial law declaration on December 3, following his initial court attendance on Tuesday.
