South Korea arrests former defense minister after martial law

Former South Korean Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun

Yonhap news agency reported on December 8 that former South Korean Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun was arrested on charges related to his role in President Yoon Suk Yeol's declaration of martial law on December 3.

The move followed the declaration of martial law when Mr. Kim appeared to attend an all-night interrogation session at the special investigation headquarters at 1:30 a.m. on December 8.

President Yoon declared martial law on the night of December 3 at the request of Mr. Kim, amid a growing political deadlock with the opposition-controlled parliament. President Yoon revoked the order after the parliament voted to end it.

Mr. Kim submitted his resignation and President Yoon accepted it on December 5.

Regarding President Yoon’s controversial declaration of martial law, ruling People Power Party (PPP) leader Han Dong-hoon announced on December 7 that President Yoon will “step down in an orderly manner” after escaping impeachment. Mr. Han apologized after the impeachment attempt against Mr. Yoon was abandoned, after most of the PPP lawmakers boycotted the vote, which required a two-thirds majority to pass.

The PPP holds 108 seats in the 300-seat National Assembly . "I feel very sorry about the situation that has developed since the declaration of martial law," Han told reporters at the National Assembly. Han led 18 PPP lawmakers in voting to reject Yoon's martial law decree, hours after it was announced on the evening of December 3.

Mr. Han reiterated his previous stance that the decree "clearly and seriously violates the Constitution and the law." "Mr. Yoon will be stripped of all duties until he steps down, and the prime minister will handle state affairs after consulting with the party," Mr. Han said.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/han-quoc-bat-cuu-bo-truong-quoc-phong-sau-vu-thiet-quan-luat-185241208065628953.htm