Former South Korean Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun was formally arrested on Tuesday (December 10th) on suspicion of masterminding the martial law order implemented by President Yoon Suk-yeol last week. Authorities are investigating whether his actions constitute treason. Kim Yong-hyun became the first person to be arrested in connection with the martial law order incident.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the special investigation department of the prosecution requested the court to arrest Kim Yong-hyun yesterday (December 9th) on suspicion of conspiring with President Yoon Suk-yeol to incite internal turmoil. He is accused of being responsible for crucial tasks related to the internal turmoil and abusing his power to obstruct the exercise of rights.
Reports indicate that Kim Yong-hyun, through his lawyer on Tuesday, indicated that he would forego the pre-arrest review. He expressed deep apologies for causing great anxiety and inconvenience to the public, stating that he alone bears all responsibility for the incident.
The martial law order, implemented for the first time in over forty years, lasted only about six hours but triggered a storm in South Korea, leading to massive street protests.
The South Korean Ministry of Justice has barred Yoon Suk-yeol and eight others from leaving the country, considering them key suspects. This marks the first time the current South Korean president has been subjected to an exit ban.
Kim Yong-hyun resigned last Thursday (December 5th) and has been in custody since Sunday. According to reports from the Associated Press, the prosecution has up to 20 days to decide whether to press charges against him. If convicted of treason, he could face the death penalty.