A prosecutors’ report, disclosed on Saturday, claims impeached South Korean Presdient Yoon Suk Yeol had instructed the military to use force, including firearms, to gain entry to the National Assembly during his unsuccessful effort to impose martial law, according to AFP.
The report cites a 10-page indictment summary involving former defence minister Kim Yong-hyun. According to the document, Yoon expressed willingness to declare martial law multiple times, if necessary. He allegedly pressured military officials, stating, “Break down the door and drag them out, even if it means shooting.”
The report further reveals that discussions about martial law began as early as March, tied to a political budget dispute.
Yoon’s lawyer, Yoon Kab-keun, dismissed the accusations, calling the report “a one-sided account.” Still, opposition leaders, such as Democratic Party lawmaker Kang Sun-woo, have demanded Yoon’s immediate arrest, labelling him a “treasonous ringleader.”
On December 3, heavily armed troops reportedly stormed parliament, breaking windows, scaling fences, and using helicopters in a bid to suppress opposition lawmakers. Despite this, legislators managed to convene and nullify the martial law declaration with a unanimous vote.
Yoon, removed from office by the National Assembly earlier this month, is under investigation for his brief but controversial attempt to dismantle civilian rule, which triggered political upheaval and led to his impeachment.
South Korea’s Constitutional Court began its first preliminary hearing on Friday to review the validity of Yoon Suk Yeol’s impeachment.
The court is also tasked with deciding the fate of Yoon’s replacement, Han Duck-soo, who was impeached on the same day for refusing to finalise Yoon’s impeachment process and ensure accountability.
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