South Korean police continue to raid presidential office complex

The National Investigation Center under the Korean National Police Agency dispatched officials to the Yongsan area around 2 p.m. on December 12 to collect documents related to the failed martial law decree issued by President Yoon Suk-yeol on December 3.

Police said the raid targeted the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) headquarters, located next to the presidential complex, and the presidential office was not included in the search.

Police investigators enter the South Korean presidential office complex in Seoul on December 11. (Photo: Yonhap)

The JCS building is used by the martial law command when the order is in effect. Police said the JCS has agreed to cooperate with the investigation and that police will receive documents from the JCS in the form of voluntary submission. The JCS's consent is required to enter the military facility.

Earlier, South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol gave a speech defending the decision to declare martial law on December 3, saying it was an administrative act and denying accusations of rebellion.

"Whether I am impeached or investigated, I will be ready to face it," President Yoon Suk-yeol said. Yoon Suk-yeol said he used his presidential power to declare martial law to protect the country and normalize state affairs in the face of opposition that paralyzed the government. At the same time, the South Korean leader called it a "carefully considered political judgment."

On December 11, police also sought to search several key offices, including the cabinet meeting room, the Presidential Security Service and a bunker inside the JCS headquarters, located next to the presidential complex.

The first search ended after hours, with police given only limited documents from the security agency because it refused to cooperate.

Police are conducting a raid to seize a secure mobile phone used by former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun and its connection server, with the cooperation of the Defense Ministry , officials said.

Mr. Kim Yong-hyun was given the phone to contact Mr. Yoon Suk-yeol during the declaration of martial law.

Police attempted to confiscate the phone when they searched Kim Yong-hyun's office and official residence during a raid on December 8.

Kong Anh (Source: Yonhap)

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