South Korea: Prosecutors grill Army chief over martial law declaration

December 9, 2024

Seoul: South Korean prosecutors are investigating allegations of treason related to President Yoon Suk Yeol’s brief declaration of martial law last week, prompting them to question Army Chief of Staff Gen. Park An-su, who was appointed to lead the martial law command. According to officials, Park was interrogated as a witness for about eight hours at the Seoul Central District Prosecutors Office, starting Sunday evening and concluding early Monday morning.

Prosecutors are also summonsing other military leaders who were under the command of former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, who may face arrest on charges of treason and abuse of power. Kim was detained on December 6 and played a key role in the sudden martial law declaration, which lasted just six hours before being retracted after a vote by the National Assembly.

During a National Assembly session on December 5, Park stated that he had no prior knowledge of the martial law declaration. Prosecutors have been questioning him regarding the instructions he received from his superiors, his actions following the declaration, and his involvement in the proclamation and deployment of martial law troops.