South Korean military believes Yoon’s martial law was ‘legitimate’
Military commander would not say if the impeached leader gave orders to ‘drag’ legislators out of parliament
04 February 2025 - 14:54
by Ju-min Park
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
South Korea's impeached president Yoon Suk Yeol attends the fifth hearing of his impeachment trial over his short-lived imposition of martial law at the Constitutional Court in Seoul on February 4 2025. Picture: JUNG YEON-JE/POOL via REUTERS
Seoul — A top South Korean military commander said on Tuesday he trusted President Yoon Suk Yeol to make a legitimate decision when he declared martial law, but declined to say if the impeached leader gave orders to “drag” legislators out of parliament.
Army Lt-Gen Lee Jin-woo testified at a constitutional court trial reviewing parliament’s impeachment of Yoon, who is accused of masterminding insurrection with his short-lived martial law decree of December 3.
Yoon again played down his martial law declaration, which shocked the country and plunged the industrial powerhouse and a powerful example of democratic resilience into a constitutional crisis that also resulted in the prime minister being impeached.
“I still believe it was legitimate and when told to go to parliament, I considered it to be an order,” Lee told the court.
“There was no chance to even think about whether it was illegal or unconstitutional, when the commander in chief, who represents the people, and whom I knew to be a legal expert as a former top prosecutor, spoke to the country and to the world.”
The constitutional court is reviewing parliament’s impeachment of Yoon on December 14 and will decide whether to remove him from office permanently or reinstate him. If he is removed, a new presidential election must be held within three months.
Prosecutors have separately indicted Yoon on charges of leading an insurrection. He was arrested last month and is being held at a detention centre.
Lee, who was the commander of the Army Capital Defence Command, is among a number of senior military and police officers who have been accused of insurrection and abuse of authority.
Yoon attended the court hearing on Tuesday and said there was no point in debating whether he gave orders to remove legislators gathering to vote to lift the martial law when “nothing actually happened”.
Lee declined to answer many of the questions, including whether Yoon had ordered him to use firearms if necessary and break into parliament to remove the legislators, saying he was a defendant in a criminal case.
A copy of the indictment against Yoon seen by Reuters said Yoon allegedly asked the safety minister to cut off power and water to several media outlets considered to be critical of the conservative leader.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
South Korean military believes Yoon’s martial law was ‘legitimate’
Military commander would not say if the impeached leader gave orders to ‘drag’ legislators out of parliament
Seoul — A top South Korean military commander said on Tuesday he trusted President Yoon Suk Yeol to make a legitimate decision when he declared martial law, but declined to say if the impeached leader gave orders to “drag” legislators out of parliament.
Army Lt-Gen Lee Jin-woo testified at a constitutional court trial reviewing parliament’s impeachment of Yoon, who is accused of masterminding insurrection with his short-lived martial law decree of December 3.
Yoon again played down his martial law declaration, which shocked the country and plunged the industrial powerhouse and a powerful example of democratic resilience into a constitutional crisis that also resulted in the prime minister being impeached.
“I still believe it was legitimate and when told to go to parliament, I considered it to be an order,” Lee told the court.
“There was no chance to even think about whether it was illegal or unconstitutional, when the commander in chief, who represents the people, and whom I knew to be a legal expert as a former top prosecutor, spoke to the country and to the world.”
The constitutional court is reviewing parliament’s impeachment of Yoon on December 14 and will decide whether to remove him from office permanently or reinstate him. If he is removed, a new presidential election must be held within three months.
Prosecutors have separately indicted Yoon on charges of leading an insurrection. He was arrested last month and is being held at a detention centre.
Lee, who was the commander of the Army Capital Defence Command, is among a number of senior military and police officers who have been accused of insurrection and abuse of authority.
Yoon attended the court hearing on Tuesday and said there was no point in debating whether he gave orders to remove legislators gathering to vote to lift the martial law when “nothing actually happened”.
Lee declined to answer many of the questions, including whether Yoon had ordered him to use firearms if necessary and break into parliament to remove the legislators, saying he was a defendant in a criminal case.
A copy of the indictment against Yoon seen by Reuters said Yoon allegedly asked the safety minister to cut off power and water to several media outlets considered to be critical of the conservative leader.
Reuters
Samsung boss Jay Y Lee found not guilty of fraud
South Korea president indicted for insurrection
Yoon ‘never intended full martial law in South Korea’
South Korea’s president tells court he did not order military to drag out MPs
Protesters storm South Korean court after Yoon’s detention extended
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Most Read
Related Articles
Samsung boss Jay Y Lee found not guilty of fraud
South Korea president indicted for insurrection
Yoon ‘never intended full martial law in South Korea’
South Korea’s president tells court he did not order military to drag out MPs
Protesters storm South Korean court after Yoon’s detention extended
Published by Arena Holdings and distributed with the Financial Mail on the last Thursday of every month except December and January.