Former South Korean Defense Minister Claims Responsibility For Announcement Of Military Emergency

South Korean troops outside the National Assembly Building during a military emergency. (Wikimedia Commons/mujjingun)

JAKARTA - Former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun on Thursday claimed responsibility for South Korea's military emergency declaration announced by the impeached President Yoon Suk-yeol, claiming he recommended martial law and played a key role in its implementation.

He also claimed at least one Cabinet member voiced support for the plan at a meeting held before President Yoon's military emergency declaration. However, he did not say who or how much.

Appearing as a witness in Yoon's impeachment trial at the Constitutional Court, Kim testified he wrote a controversial note allegedly calling for the formation of an emergency legislative body under martial law.

This note, which was given to Finance Minister Choi Sang-mok at the Cabinet meeting, has become key evidence in determining the constitutionality of Yoon's military emergency on December 3.

When President Yoon's lawyer asked who wrote the note, Kim replied, "I wrote."

Kim explained that Choi, who came late for the Cabinet meeting, did not receive the note directly. On the other hand, Kim conveyed it through working-level officials.

The note directs Choi to cut funds to the National Assembly and re-allocate resources to form an emergency legislative body.

This raises questions about whether Yoon intends to dissolve the Assembly, an unconstitutional act once under martial law.

While the Constitution allows special action regarding press freedom, executive and judicial authorities during martial law, the Constitution does not allow restrictions on legislative activities.

Kim said he also made another note given to Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul.

Cho said he received a direct note from Yoon on the military's emergency night, but did not keep it and he only remembered a few words including "pattical offices abroad."

Kim also testified that he had recommended a military emergency to the president, arguing it was a necessary step to curb the use of legislative power by the majority-holding opposition party.

"The president is deeply concerned about the omission of the opposition to public livelihoods, instead focusing on protecting their members and encouraging impeachment and special investigations," Kim said.

Kim, a retired Army general and close ally of President Yoon, is currently being held on charges of treason over his role in a six-hour military emergency.

Kim's appearance in public on Thursday was the first since the imposition of a military emergency. He was present wearing a jacket, not a prison uniform and was not handcuffed.

Yoon, who was also present at the trial, witnessed Kim testifying. This is the appearance of the two prosecutors who became president at his impeachment trial after attending a hearing on Tuesday, making him Korea's first president to speak on his own behalf during the impeachment trial.

During the trial, Kim claimed the president "only ordered a small number of troops to the National Assembly," indicating a lack of intention to control the legislature.

According to the Ministry of National Defense, about 1,500 troops were mobilized during martial law, with hundreds deployed to the National Assembly and others to the office of the National General Elections Commission.

The Constitutional Court plans to hold additional hearings on February 4, 6, 11, and 13.

Yoon's impeachment verdict is expected to come out before April 18, when the term of office of two of the eight judges ends.

However, the trial process may be delayed as Yoon's legal team has asked for more than 20 witnesses, including members of the Cabinet and senior presidential officials.