Seoul, Jan 8 (NationPress) Prosecutors in South Korea have formally charged the Commissioner General of the National Police Agency and the former chief of the Seoul police in connection with their purported actions during President Yoon Suk Yeol's brief enforcement of martial law, officials stated.
Cho Ji-ho, the head of the National Police Agency, along with Kim Bong-sik, the previous chief of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, faced charges while being detained for participating in significant activities related to an insurrection and misusing their authority.
The charges followed their arrest last month as part of an inquiry into Yoon's failed martial law declaration from December 3.
Cho is alleged to have instructed police to block lawmakers from entering the National Assembly during the martial law period and is also accused of collaborating in the military's efforts to detain prominent politicians.
According to the special prosecution team, the two officials reportedly met with Yoon mere hours prior to his martial law declaration at the presidential safe house located in central Seoul, as reported by the Yonhap news agency.
During this meeting, Yoon communicated his intention to impose martial law and directed them to deploy police to the National Assembly and manage the situation, according to the prosecutors.
Cho and Kim are also alleged to have received a document from former Defence Minister Kim Yong-hyun that outlined plans regarding martial law, including details on troop deployment.
Upon the announcement of martial law, Kim supposedly ordered police to entirely restrict access to the National Assembly.
He temporarily permitted lawmakers to enter the premises after legal consultations with his team but later restricted access, citing the martial law decree that prohibited all political activities, according to the prosecutors.
On January 6, South Korean prosecutors also charged the top military intelligence officer for his alleged participation in President Yoon Suk Yeol's unsuccessful martial law declaration the previous month.
The special investigation team indicted Defence Intelligence Commander Major General Moon Sang-ho for allegedly playing a crucial role in an insurrection and abusing his power.
Moon is suspected of dispatching troops to the National Election Commission's office in Gwacheon, south of Seoul, during the night of the short-lived martial law on December 3.
He is also believed to have discussed martial law operations with Noh Sang-won, a former defence intelligence commander, and two subordinates at a fast-food restaurant in Gyeonggi Province two days prior to the imposition of martial law.
