South Korean police arrest chiefs of military intelligence in martial law probe

On December 15, police arrested both the current and former heads of the Defense Intelligence Command as part of their ongoing investigation into martial law.

According to the special investigation team, Maj. Gen. Moon Sang-ho, the current commander, and Noh Sang-won, the former leader of the command, were detained, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

Moon is accused of deploying troops from his unit to the National Election Commission's office in Gwacheon, near Seoul, on December 3, following President Yoon Suk Yeol's sudden declaration of martial law. Police suspect that Moon may have been aware of President Yoon's plan to declare martial law in advance or played a role in preparing for its imposition, as the troops arrived at the National Election Commission just two minutes after the announcement. 

Noh, believed to be a close associate of former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, is under suspicion for his involvement in Yoon's preparation for the martial law decree in a civilian capacity. The main opposition party, the Democratic Party, claims that Noh was responsible for drafting the military decree issued shortly after Yoon's announcement and that he had discussed subsequent actions with Kim once martial law was lifted. 

Under emergency arrest provisions, the police have 48 hours to hold the two men in detention for questioning. If the police decide not to request formal warrants from the court, or if the court refuses to issue them within that period, Moon and Noh must be released.

Earlier, the South Korean prosecution designated the president as a suspect in a case involving a coup. The police conducted a search of his office.

The South Korean prosecution officially designated President Yoon Suk Yeol as a suspect in a case related to a coup.

The head of the prosecutor’s office overseeing the special investigation into the emergency martial law, stated that the president has been named a suspect as part of the investigation process.

By Naila Huseynova