Special probe eyes ex-military chief's alleged martial law awareness

South Korea's special prosecutor's team is investigating former Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Kim Myung-soo for his alleged role in a potential martial law declaration on December 3, 2024. The investigation centers on whether Kim, as chairman, issued directives to prioritize martial law duties to the Capital Defense Command and the Army Special Warfare Command, which prosecutors suspect could constitute participation in sedition.

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We should wait and see what the Minister of National Defense does.

Investigators are paying close attention to President Yoon Suk-yeol's remarks made during a trip to Hawaii in July 2024. During his visit to the Indo-Pacific Command, Yoon reportedly made disparaging comments about opposition leader Han Dong-hoon, calling him a "communist," and suggested that the military should be involved. This statement was interpreted as an allusion to martial law.

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Why are you going around saying useless things? Those were remarks made to protect the President's mood.

According to reports, Kang Ho-pil, then deputy chief of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, informed then-Defense Minister Shin Won-sik and Chairman Kim Myung-soo about Yoon's remarks on July 12, 2024. Kim reportedly advised Kang against resigning immediately, suggesting they observe the Defense Minister's actions. Two days later, Kim Yong-hyun, then-chief of the Presidential Security Service, reportedly reprimanded Kang for his "unnecessary talk" and dismissed Yoon's comments as being made in the interest of presidential security. Kim Yong-hyun also allegedly stated that conservatives, including Pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon, were "on our side."

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Conservatives, including Pastor Jeon Kwang-hoon, are on our side.

The special prosecutor's team believes these events indicate that Kim Myung-soo was aware of the possibility of a martial law declaration by at least July 12, 2024. The investigation is also examining why Kim did not act on advice from four other Joint Chiefs of Staff members who reportedly raised concerns about martial law procedures and suggested withdrawing troops. When questioned, Kim reportedly stated that his focus during the December 3 martial law period was on border security against North Korea.

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I focused on the border security posture against North Korea at the time of the December 3 martial law.