South Korea suspends 3 generals involved in martial law

On December 6, Yonhap quoted an announcement from the South Korean Ministry of Defense stating that the three military commanders were suspended and transferred, including Lieutenant General Lee Jin Woo, head of the Capital Defense Command; Lieutenant General Kwak Jong Keun, head of the Army Special Forces Command; and Lieutenant General Yeo In Hyung, head of the counterintelligence agency.

The suspension decision came amid criticism from South Korean public opinion over the military's role in implementing martial law, along with concerns from the opposition about the possibility of a repeat of this scenario.

Acting South Korean Defense Minister Kim Seon-ho at a press conference on December 6. (Photo: Yonhap)

In addition to the three commanders who have been suspended, South Korean military prosecutors are seeking an exit ban for 10 military officers involved in the declaration of martial law, according to the South Korean Defense Ministry.

On the same day, according to South Korean Acting Defense Minister Kim Seon-ho, the agency and the military affirmed that they would not implement any new martial law orders during an urgent press conference in Seoul.

Before his suspension, Special Operations Commander Kwak Jong-geun said he would refuse to implement any new martial law orders.

On the morning of December 6, South Korean opposition lawmakers unexpectedly announced the possibility of declaring a new state of martial law after the civilian group Korea Military Human Rights Center raised the plan. The statement also said that many military units have been ordered to prepare for an emergency.

Yonhap quoted its own source as saying that no special orders had been issued to South Korean military units to prepare for combat.

Also on December 6, South Korean police and prosecutors formed separate investigation teams to handle allegations related to South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol's brief declaration of martial law this week.

Police said they have set up a task force of about 120 people to investigate four complaints against Yoon Suk-yeol and others on charges of rebellion and abuse of power related to Yoon's declaration and then lifting of martial law on the night of December 3.

The prosecutors have also set up a special investigation unit headed by Park Se-hyun, chief prosecutor of the Seoul High Prosecutors' Office, to handle similar complaints.

Tra Khanh (Source: Yonhap)

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