South Korea: Investigation into Martial Law Allegations Involving Intelligence Commander Moves to Military Prosecution
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Seoul, Dec 26 (NationPress) An investigation regarding the senior South Korean military intelligence officer's alleged participation in martial law actions has been assigned to military prosecution, according to the state anti-corruption inquiry office on Thursday.
Defence Intelligence Commander Major General Moon Sang-ho has been under investigation by the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) for allegedly dispatching troops to the National Election Commission's office during the night of President Yoon Suk Yeol's failed martial law declaration on December 3.
He is also suspected of having conversations about martial law operations with Noh Sang-won, a former defence intelligence commander, along with two other subordinates, at a burger franchise in Gyeonggi Province just two days prior to the martial law implementation.
Moon was released from emergency detention earlier this month after prosecutors dismissed the police's request for his detention, asserting that the military court holds jurisdiction over the matter, as reported by Yonhap news agency.
He was officially detained last Friday on counts of involvement in critical duties related to an insurrection, as well as abuse of authority, after the case transitioned to the CIO.
The CIO has recently prolonged Moon's detention, which was originally set to conclude on Friday, to January 6.
The military prosecution is anticipated to prosecute Moon following a review of documents handed over from the CIO.
Earlier that day, South Korea's anti-corruption investigation agency summoned President Yoon Suk Yeol to appear for questioning that weekend regarding his brief martial law declaration.
The Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) issued the summons, instructing Yoon to report to its office in Gwacheon, just south of Seoul, at 10 a.m. on Sunday.
This marks the CIO's third summons after Yoon overlooked two prior requests, including one for questioning on Christmas Day.
The CIO had collaborated with the police and the Defence Ministry's investigative unit to probe allegations that Yoon had instigated an insurrection and misused his authority when he declared martial law on December 3, as reported by Yonhap news agency.
Meanwhile, South Korean President Yoon's political future is uncertain as the Constitutional Court deliberates on his impeachment trial regarding his fleeting martial law declaration, raising concerns about a leadership void amid economic and security dilemmas.
Yoon faces a challenging legal battle next year following his impeachment and the expanding inquiries into his unsuccessful attempt to impose military rule on the nation's democracy on December 3. The impeached president has defended his martial law declaration as an act of governance and has denied the insurrection allegations.
