South Korea ex-defence minister indicted on insurrection charges in martial law probe

South Korean prosecutors indicted former Defence Minister Kim Yong-hyun on Friday for insurrection, stemming from his alleged involvement in a failed emergency martial law attempt earlier this month.

According to The Korea Times, citing Yonhap news agency, prosecution’s special investigation team indicted Kim on charges of abuse of power and playing an “integral” role in an insurrection, marking the first indictment in the case on President Yoon Suk Yeol’s botched declaration of martial law on December 3.

Prosecutors believe Kim recommended Yoon declare martial law, and led the deployment of troops to the National Assembly and the National Election Commission’s offices during martial law.

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On December 3, 2024, Yoon declared martial law in a surprise late-night address, reviving memories of a more painful, authoritarian past  as troops  attempted to enter  the main hall of the National Assembly and people against the measure gathered outside following his announcement.

The president accused the main opposition party of sympathising with North Korea and of anti-state activities, citing a motion by the opposition Democratic Party, which has a majority in parliament, to impeach top prosecutors and reject a government budget proposal.

Lawmakers worked swiftly to block the martial law decree in the hours after Yoon’s declaration, with 190 of the 300 members of parliament voting to overturn the measure.

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With inputs from agencies