Prosecutors seek arrest warrant for commander of South Korean Special Operations Command

South Korean prosecutors have charged Lieutenant General Kwak Jong-keun, commander of the Republic of Korea Army Special Operations Command, with mutiny and abuse of power.

Specifically, regarding the event of South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol declaring martial law on the evening of December 3, Lieutenant General Kwak sent troops to the National Assembly and colluded with Mr. Yoon and former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun to incite riots to overthrow the Constitution.

Lieutenant General Kwak Jong-keun, commander of the South Korean Army Special Operations Command, was charged with rebellion and abuse of power. (Photo: Yonhap News)

Earlier, on December 9, South Korean prosecutors summoned the commander of the Army Special Operations Command to investigate his role in the imposition of martial law. At that time, Lieutenant General Kwak Jong-keun was summoned to the Seoul Central District Prosecutors' Office for questioning as a witness in possible charges of treason and abuse of power.

Speaking at the prosecutor's office, Kwak Jong-keun apologized to the people after martial law.

In connection with the investigation, Mr. Kwak told opposition lawmakers that he received orders from the then-Defense Minister to evacuate those inside the National Assembly building. The commander said he received orders by phone from former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun to take control of the facilities of the National Assembly, the National Election Commission and the pollster Flower Research.

In another development, on December 14, the South Korean National Assembly passed a motion to impeach President Yoon Suk-yeol for "rebellious acts that undermine constitutional order" related to his declaration of martial law on the night of December 3.

According to Yonhap, Mr. Yoon was suspended from his position and powers as soon as the Presidential Office received the impeachment resolution from the National Assembly. Prime Minister Han Duck-soo is currently serving as acting President. The Presidential Office and the National Security Office are under the management of Prime Minister Han.

The impeachment motion will then be sent to the Constitutional Court for final review and ruling, which will take up to 180 days. During this time, Mr. Yoon will lose a series of powers as head of state and head of the executive branch.

However, the impeachment resolution does not strip Mr. Yoon of his presidential title. Security policies and protocols for Mr. Yoon remain the same. He can still use official vehicles and private planes, and continue to live at the Presidential Palace.

Kong Anh (Source: Yonhap)

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