South Korean prosecutors have arrested former defense minister Kim Yong Hyun over his role in declaring martial law on Tuesday, December 3, 2024. Kim Yong Hyun had previously submitted his resignation on Wednesday before his arrest.
Kim Yong Hyun is suspected of being the initiator and main figure in South Korea’s martial law declaration. The former defense minister submitted the martial law proposal to South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, according to a senior military official who filed an impeachment petition against Yoon, saying that it was Kim Yong Hyun’s will that made the proposal.
Fortunately, Yook Suk Yeol survived the impeachment vote in parliament on Saturday. The impeachment of the South Korean president was triggered by his brief attempt to impose martial law. Even his own party leader said that in the end the president should resign.
Kim Yong Hyun voluntarily appeared at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office and the former defense minister was questioned by the prosecutor’s special investigation team at 1:30 a.m. Sunday. However, there was no statement from the Prosecutor’s Office after Kim Yong Hyun’s arrival.
Yoon Suk Yeol, Kim Yong Hyun and martial law commander parties of treason and filed a complaint with the prosecutors. While the prosecutors were investigating, Kim Yong Hyun was banned from traveling and the police had even raided his official residence and office.
South Korean Interior Minister Lee Sang-min told the public that he was resigning from his post. He admitted that his resignation was an acknowledgement of his responsibility for failing to serve the public and the president well.
As is known, the imposition of martial law in South Korea was announced by President Yoon Suk Yeol on Tuesday. The martial law authority was widely applied to the military to eradicate anti-state forces and political opponents who liked to obstruct. However, the ban was immediately lifted six hours later after parliament opposed the military and police siege to vote unanimously against the martial law.