Yoon Initiates Arrests of Key Politicians Following Martial Law Declaration
Click to start listening
Seoul, Dec 7 (NationPress) The President of South Korea, Yoon Suk Yeol, has directed the apprehension of influential lawmakers from both the ruling and main opposition parties soon after announcing martial law earlier this week, according to a senior intelligence official who informed a lawmaker.
Hong Jang-won, the first deputy director of South Korea's National Intelligence Service (NIS), conveyed this information on Friday during discussions with Representative Shin Sung-bum, chair of the intelligence committee, at the National Assembly, as stated by Representative Kim Byung-kee from the main opposition Democratic Party (DP) to reporters.
Among those targeted were DP leader Lee Jae-myung, ruling party chief Han Dong-hoon, National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-Shik, DP floor leader Park Chan-dae, Representative Cho Kuk from the minor opposition Korea Rebuilding Party, and other politicians, as reported by Yonhap news agency.
Hong alleged that Yoon made a call late Tuesday, commanding him to “seize this opportunity to detain them all and eliminate them”.
Following this, Hong stated he contacted Counterintelligence Commander Yeo In-hyung to relay Yoon's directives.
Additionally, Hong mentioned he submitted his resignation after learning from NIS Director Cho Tae-yong that Yoon had ordered Hong’s termination on Thursday, but Cho declined the resignation the next morning.
In contrast, Cho asserted that he had not received any direct instructions from Yoon regarding the arrest of politicians, nor were there discussions about Hong's dismissal from either the President or the presidential office.
A document provided to the DP by the police agency disclosed that Yeo had requested Cho Ji-ho, head of the Korean National Police Agency, to monitor the locations of key political figures during their phone conversations immediately after the martial law declaration on Tuesday.
However, the police agency stated that its chief did not proceed with any actions as it necessitated a legal review.
During the call, Yeo also indicated that a joint investigation headquarters could be established, in which case he would seek police assistance, and that he intended to approach the National Election Commission.
The intelligence committee of the National Assembly plans to convene an emergency meeting on Saturday to interrogate the NIS director and other crucial intelligence officials regarding the martial law declaration.
