Former South Korean Defense Minister Arrested Over Martial Law

(CLO) South Korean prosecutors arrested former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun on Sunday for his role in President Yoon Suk Yeol's declaration of martial law, according to South Korean media reports.

Mr Kim, who submitted his resignation on Wednesday, was seen as a central figure in the brief declaration of martial law earlier Tuesday. A senior military official and Mr Yoon’s impeachment papers said Mr Kim had made the proposal.

President Yoon narrowly avoided an impeachment vote in South Korea's National Assembly on Saturday when it was postponed by ruling People Power Party (PPP) lawmakers who abruptly walked out of the meeting, but his party leader said the South Korean president would eventually have to step down.

Former South Korean Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun. Photo: Reuters

The prosecution's special investigation team questioned Kim, who voluntarily appeared at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office at around 1:30 a.m. Sunday local time.

At the special investigation headquarters, prosecutors urgently arrested Mr. Kim and confiscated his phone, accusing the 65-year-old former defense minister of inciting violence to overthrow the national government, abusing his power and obstructing public service.

Earlier, three minority opposition parties filed complaints with the prosecution against Yoon, Kim and martial law commander Park An-su, accusing them of treason.

Yonhap reported that Mr. Kim faces a travel ban while prosecutors investigate. The national police are also investigating treason charges against Yoon and senior ministers. The maximum penalty for such charges is life imprisonment or the death penalty.

Mr Yoon shocked the nation on Tuesday night when he gave the military sweeping emergency powers to eliminate what he called “anti-state forces” by storming the National Assembly. He rescinded the order six hours later, after the National Assembly, defying the military and police, voted unanimously against it.

Mr. Yoon's declaration of martial law has plunged South Korea, Asia's fourth-largest economy and a key military ally of the United States, into its biggest political crisis in decades.

Huy Hoang (according to Yonhap, Reuters, Korea Herald)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/cuu-bo-truong-quoc-phong-han-quoc-bi-bat-vi-toi-noi-loan-post324611.html