Former South Korean Minister of Defence Formally Arrested for Insurrection
. Kim’s arrest could speed up investigations into Yoon, who also faces charges of insurrection and is banned from leaving the country. Dec 10, 2024 Photo: Yonhap
December 10, 2024 Hour: 10:31 pm
According to prosecutors, the former minister not only proposed the declaration of a state of emergency but also ordered the deployment of troops in the National Assembly to prevent a vote that sought to revoke the measure.
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Former National Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun has been formally arrested on charges of insurrection following his involvement in the declaration of martial law by President Yoon Suk-yeol.
This arrest, which follows an emergency detention over the weekend, marks a milestone in the investigation into the state of emergency declared last week. The prosecution has filed charges against Kim, claiming that his involvement was “essential” in the events leading to the imposition of martial law.
According to prosecutors, the former minister not only proposed the declaration of a state of emergency but also ordered the deployment of troops in the National Assembly to prevent a vote that sought to revoke the measure.
This act has been described as an attempt to obstruct the exercise of fundamental rights during the six hours that martial law was in force.
In addition, it has been revealed that Kim allegedly tried to manipulate evidence by changing phones and deleting conversations on the Telegram app, leading authorities to consider his conduct as an attempt to obstruct the investigation.
The charges include conspiracy with President Yoon to start a riot in order to subvert the Constitution. Kim’s arrest could speed up investigations into Yoon, who also faces charges of insurrection and is banned from leaving the country.
In South Korea, presidents cannot be tried during their term of office except in cases of insurrection, a crime that carries severe penalties including life imprisonment or even the death penalty, although the latter has not been enforced since 1997.
Autor: MLM
Fuente: EFE
