Colonel-level commanders were reportedly called to be on guard for an imminent provocation by North Korea on Dec 1, two days before martial law was declared. PHOTO: YONHAP VIA REUTERS
SEOUL - Senior officers of the military were ordered to be on standby for a North Korea-related situation in the days leading up to President Yoon Suk Yeol’s declaration of martial law, in another sign that the events that unfolded on Dec 3 were plotted in advance.
Colonel-level commanders were called to be on guard for an imminent provocation by North Korea on Dec 1, two days before Mr Yoon declared martial law, according to Major-General Lee Kyung-min.
Speaking before the National Assembly on Dec 10, Maj-Gen Lee said suspended Defense Counterintelligence Commander Lieutenant-General Yeo In-hyung cited a “serious North Korean filth balloon situation” in ordering them to be on alert for further directions.
Maj-Gen Lee has been the acting defense counterintelligence commander since Lt-Gen Yeo was suspended from his duties on Dec 6.
Defence Intelligence Commander Maj-Gen Moon Sang-ho said former Defence Minister Kim Yong-hyun, who resigned following impeachment calls, asked him to “be ready for a nighttime mission” at around 10am on Dec 3.
Mr Yoon delivered the televised announcement of martial law at around 10.20pm that day.
Maj-Gen Moon said Mr Kim again told him to “organise a team to be ready for mission” at 9pm near the government compound in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province, where the National Election Commission headquarters is located.
Troops raided the election watchdog’s office shortly after martial law was announced by the president.
Army Chief of Staff General Park An-su, who was appointed as martial law commander, revealed that he held a one-on-one meeting with the former defense minister at around 4pm on the day martial law was declared.
Gen Park has so far claimed he learned of the president’s martial law plans from the TV announcement. THE KOREA HERALD/ASIA NEWS NETWORK
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South Korea
Politics and government
Yoon Suk Yeol