About 180 military personnel identified in Yoon martial law probe, Seoul says - UPI.com

SEOUL, Feb. 12 (UPI) -- Some 180 military personnel were identified as directly or indirectly involved in former South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's short-lived 2024 martial law declaration, Seoul's Defense Ministry said Thursday, announcing preliminary results of a six-month investigation. The probe examined roughly 860 generals and field-grade officers across 24 units and institutions where allegations had been raised. About 120 personnel from the ministry, the Joint Chiefs of Staff and individual service branches were assigned to the effort. Investigators assessed participants' roles in the preparation and execution of the martial law order, taking into account factors such as decision-making authority, rank, timing and specific actions. The ministry said it identified about 180 individuals who were directly or indirectly involved. Of those, 114 were referred for criminal investigation or are currently under investigation, 48 were recommended for disciplinary action and 75 received warnings or cautions, with some overlap among categories. The investigation confirmed several key findings, including that the Defense Intelligence Command had conspired in advance to occupy the National Election Commission, and that the Counterintelligence Command and the Defense Ministry's investigation headquarters reviewed detention facilities and operated arrest teams to detain key political figures. Separately, the ministry's special investigation headquarters indicted three generals and five colonels for playing key roles in the botched martial law bid, it said. Yoon declared emergency martial law late on Dec. 3, 2024, citing threats from what he called 'shameless pro-North Korea anti-state forces that are plundering the freedom and happiness of our people.' 190 lawmakers rushed to the National Assembly in the early hours and voted to overturn the decree, which Yoon rescinded during a subsequent Cabinet meeting. The episode lasted roughly six hours but triggered months of political turmoil and impeachment proceedings. Yoon was removed from office in April after the Constitutional Court unanimously upheld his impeachment. 'Regarding the unprecedented situation of the Dec. 3 insurrection, we will do our utmost to ensure that the principle of strict reward and punishment is firmly established in our military,' Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back said. 'Starting with today's announcement, we will move forward resolutely to cleanse the stigma of illegal martial law and rebuild a military for the people.' Yoon is currently on trial for several charges, including insurrection, which carries the possibility of the death penalty under South Korean law. Prosecutors are seeking capital punishment, and the sentencing proceedings are set to begin next week.