Synopsis
During their initial pretrial hearing, South Korean police leaders denied charges of insurrection linked to a failed martial law effort by President Yoon Suk Yeol, asserting their actions were misinterpreted.Key Takeaways
- Top police officials face insurrection charges.
- Accusations relate to failed martial law under President Yoon Suk Yeol.
- First pretrial hearing held on February 6.
- Cho Ji-ho released on bail for health reasons.
- A second hearing scheduled for February 27.
Seoul, Feb 6 (NationPress) The chief of the South Korean national police and the former chief of the Seoul police, who are being investigated for their roles in President Yoon Suk Yeol's unsuccessful attempt at imposing martial law, refuted accusations of leading an insurrection during their initial pretrial session on Thursday.
Cho Ji-ho, the commissioner general of the National Police Agency, and Kim Bong-sik, the prior head of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, were indicted last month under physical detention for allegedly mobilising police units to seal off the National Assembly and orchestrating the detention of prominent politicians during the brief period of martial law on December 3.
Cho has since been granted bail to receive treatment for blood cancer, according to Yonhap news agency.
During the preparatory hearing at the Seoul Central District Court, Cho's attorney stated, "As the national police chief, (Cho) executed public order maintenance tasks that are inherently required under martial law conditions, yet he is being misconstrued as facilitating the actions of martial law troops."
"In reality, he prevented the execution of a crime, ensuring that martial law could not be successful," the lawyer further explained.
Kim's legal representative also contested the insurrection allegations.
The court has announced that a subsequent preparatory hearing will take place on February 27.
In related developments, the first preparatory hearing for Noh Sang-won, the former commander of the Defence Intelligence Command, is set to occur at the same court later today.
Noh faces accusations of orchestrating martial law operations and directing intelligence personnel to seize the National Election Commission's headquarters.
Additionally, a second preparatory hearing will be conducted for former Defence Minister Kim Yong-hyun regarding his involvement in the martial law initiative.
A preparatory hearing encompasses the clarification of primary disputes within a case and the planning of future legal steps, and it does not mandate the defendant's presence.
