During interrogation, the defense minister admitted that he suggested that President Yoon Seok-yol introduce martial law.
The Seoul Central District Court has issued an arrest warrant for former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun on charges of involvement in last week’s attempted constitutional coup. Yonhap reports.
Kim is said to have played a key role in the coup attempt and abused his powers to restrict the exercise of civil rights during the martial law regime.
Prosecutors have questioned the former defense department chief three times since his incarceration. Under questioning, Kim admitted that he had suggested that President Yoon Seok-yol impose martial law, but argued that his actions were neither illegal nor unconstitutional.
The formal arrest of the former minister will allow the prosecutor’s office to speed up the investigation into the charges against President Yoon in the same constitutional coup case.
Under Korean law, the president has immunity from prosecution while in office unless he is suspected of attempting a coup.
According to Korean media, on December 11, as part of an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the introduction of martial law, law enforcement officials detained the head of the national police and the police chief in Seoul. Investigators must question them within 48 hours and release them or apply for arrest.
As is known, according to Korean law, the leader of a possible coup may face the death penalty or life imprisonment, and those who participated in planning the rebellion or played another important role in attempting to implement it, depending on the degree of the offense, in addition to death and life imprisonment, may receive at least five years’ imprisonment.
Earlier, the South Korean Ministry of Justice banned President Yoon Seok-yol from leaving the country amid an investigation into the proceedings against him on suspicion of treason.
Let us remind you that on December 3, the President of South Korea declared martial law in the country. He named the reason as the opposition, which, according to him, is an “anti-state force” that paralyzes the work of the country. South Korea’s parliament has voted to end martial law.
South Korea’s prosecutor’s office has reported suspicions of high treason and abuse of power against Yoon Seok Yeol.
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Source: korrespondent
I am David Wyatt, a professional writer and journalist for Buna Times. I specialize in the world section of news coverage, where I bring to light stories and issues that affect us globally. As a graduate of Journalism, I have always had the passion to spread knowledge through writing.