South Korean prosecutors on Sunday detained a former defense minister who allegedly recommended last week’s brief but stunning martial law imposition to President Yoon Suk Yeol, making him the first figure detained over the case, news reports said.
The reported development came a day after Yoon avoided an opposition-led bid to impeach him in parliament, with most ruling party lawmakers boycotting a floor vote to prevent the two-thirds majority needed to suspend his presidential powers.
The main liberal opposition Democratic Party said it will prepare a new impeachment motion against Yoon.
Ex-Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun has been detained. AFP via Getty Images
On Sunday, ex-Defense Minister Kim Yong Hyun voluntarily appeared at a Seoul prosecutors’ office, where he had his mobile phone confiscated and was detained, Yonhap news agency reported.
Other South Korean media carried similar reports, saying Kim was moved to a Seoul detention center. The reports said police were searching Kim’s former office and residence on Sunday.
Repeated calls to the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office, the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office and the National Police Agency were unanswered.
An official at the detention facility in eastern Seoul hung up the phone when The Associated Press called.
Yoon accepted Kim’s resignation offer on Thursday after opposition parties submitted a separate impeachment motion against him.
Police searched Hyun’s former office in Seoul on Dec. 8, 2024. AP
Kim is a central figure in Yoon’s martial law enforcement, which led to special forces troops encircling the National Assembly building and army helicopters hovering over it.
The military withdrew after the parliament unanimously voted to overturn Yoon’s decree, forcing his Cabinet to lift it before daybreak Wednesday.
Park Se-hyun, chief of the Seoul High Prosecutors Office, said in a televised statement that the prosecution was investigating the martial law incident with a 62-member team, including both public and military prosecutors, and pledged a thorough probe that would “leave no suspicions.”
Demonstrators protested against President Yoon Suk Yeol outside of the National Assembly on Dec. 7, 2024. Getty Images
Yeol declared martial law during a televised address on Dec. 3, 2024. AFP via Getty Images
In Kim’s impeachment motion document, the Democratic Party and other opposition parties accused him of proposing martial law to Yoon. Ruling People Power Party leader Han Dong-hun made a similar comment on Kim’s role.
Vice Defense Minister Kim Seon Ho told parliament that Kim Yong Hyun ordered the deployment of troops to the National Assembly.
The Democratic Party called Yoon’s martial law imposition “unconstitutional, illegal rebellion or a coup.” It has filed complaints with police against at least nine people, including Yoon and Kim, over the alleged rebellion.
martial law declaration. “/>
Police stood guard in front of the National Assembly in Seoul after the martial law declaration. AFP via Getty Images
In a statement distributed by the Defense Ministry on Wednesday,