South Korea’s former defense minister was arrested amid the fallout from the declaration of martial law

As South Korea struggles with its political turmoil after Yoon’s martial law proclamation, the former defense minister was jailed. 

Kim Yong-hyun, the former defense minister of South Korea, was taken into custody on Sunday on suspicion of conspiring with President Yoon Suk Yeol to declare martial law last week.

Kim, who is seen as a pivotal role in the declaration, is under investigation for recommending the order to Yoon, which precipitated the nation’s biggest political crisis in decades, according to prosecutors. 

When martial rule was declared late Tuesday, it gave the military broad emergency powers to quell “anti-state forces.” Parliament voted overwhelmingly to annul it despite police and military cordons, and it was revoked barely six hours later. 

Kim was taken into custody after making a voluntary appearance at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors’ Office early on Sunday. Yoon and top officials, including martial law commander Park An-su, are being investigated for treason. As part of this inquiry, national police invaded his office and a special investigating team confiscated his cell phone. 

Three opposition parties in the minority have charged Yoon and his ministers of rebellion. If found guilty, the maximum punishment for insurgency leadership is either death or life in jail. According to opposition members, Yoon imposed martial law in order to thwart parliament’s attempts to reverse what they believed to be an unlawful declaration. 

Although Yoon narrowly avoided being impeached on Saturday, he has been essentially marginalized by his ruling People Power Party. Han Dong-hoon, the leader of the party, declared that Yoon would resign early and temporarily abstain from managing international or state issues. In an interview with the media on Sunday, he stated that the prime minister will be consulted by the ruling party in order to oversee state activities.

Hours prior to the impeachment vote, Yoon apologized for the martial law order in a televised speech and promised to respect his party’s choice over his political destiny. Prime Minister Han Duck-soo told friends, such as Japan and the United States, that the government will endeavor to preserve confidence despite the developing situation. 

The short-lived martial law imposed by Yoon has damaged South Korea’s reputation as a democratic nation and undermined its standing as a political success story. Additionally, the action might destabilize Asia’s fourth-largest economy and its position as a vital military partner of the United States.