South Korea: Authorities Detain Head of Capital Defence Command
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Seoul, Dec 13 (NationPress) On Friday, prosecutors executed the arrest of Lt. Gen. Lee Jin-woo, the leader of South Korea's Capital Defence Command, as part of an ongoing inquiry regarding his purported role in President Yoon Suk Yeol's brief declaration of martial law.
"The commander was apprehended this evening under a legal warrant," stated the prosecution.
Lee, who was previously subjected to a travel prohibition, faces allegations of directing the deployment of martial law forces to the National Assembly building following Yoon's martial law declaration on December 3, as reported by Yonhap news agency.
Multiple military leaders are currently being scrutinized for their involvement in the military's enforcement of martial law, which was rapidly revoked by the parliament.
Prosecutors intend to apply for a separate warrant to officially detain Lee within a 48-hour timeframe.
Moreover, prosecutors have requested an arrest warrant for Defence Counterintelligence Command head Lt. Gen. Yeo In-hyung regarding his involvement in the imposition of martial law.
Yeo is also alleged to have dispatched troops to the National Assembly and the National Election Commission at the behest of then-Defence Minister Kim Yong-hyun.
The warrant is sought on accusations of insurrection and abuse of power.
Prosecutors disclosed that Yeo reportedly instructed military officials to prioritize the apprehension of three significant politicians—leaders of both the ruling and opposition parties, along with National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik, according to legal sources.
Furthermore, several other individuals, such as politicians, judges, and a progressive journalist, were allegedly identified as targets.
Later on Friday, Yeo declared that he would waive a court hearing for the arrest warrant review.
"Engaging in the hearing to ascertain the necessity of my arrest would not be suitable, considering my responsibilities to the public and my subordinates. Consequently, I have opted to forgo it," Yeo stated in a public announcement.
