National Police Agency (NPA) chief Cho Ji-ho testified that President Yoon Suk Yeol instructed him to surround lawmakers during martial law.
Korean National Police Chief Cho Ji-ho
According to Yonhap News Agency on December 13, citing informed sources, the above information was revealed by NPA leader Cho Ji-ho to the investigation agency during the interrogation session about his role in implementing martial law issued by President Yoon on December 3.
Mr Cho is currently in custody pending a court decision on his formal detention pending investigation. "Put them all together. They violated martial law, so arrest them," Mr Cho recalled Mr Yoon instructing.
Mr. Cho's testimony is consistent with that of military commanders at a parliamentary hearing. Mr. Cho said that President Yoon called him six times to order the arrest of lawmakers, mostly his political opponents.
South Korean President vows to 'fight to the end' to defend martial law decision
However, Mr. Cho did not pass on the instructions, because he thought "none of the instructions made any sense." Mr. Cho said he did not record the calls.
Mr. Yoon did not immediately comment on Mr. Cho's testimony.
In a related development, Yonhap on December 13 cited a survey conducted by Gallup Korea showing that President Yoon's approval rating fell to a record low of 11%.
The survey, which surveyed 1,002 people aged 18 and over, was conducted from December 10 to 12. Positive views of Mr. Yoon fell 5 percentage points from the previous week, and is the lowest since he took office in May 2022.
Negative ratings of the leader also rose to a record 85%, with 49% citing his imposition of martial law and 8% citing economic concerns.
Regarding the possibility of impeaching Mr. Yoon, 75% of survey participants supported it, while 21% opposed it. The National Assembly is expected to vote on Mr. Yoon's impeachment on December 14.
In another development, President Yoon on December 12 asked the National Assembly to approve his proposal to appoint Mr. Ma Yong-ju as a Supreme Court judge.
It was an exercise of presidential power by Mr Yoon, despite his pledge to hand over the job to the ruling People's Power Party and the government, following controversy over his imposition of martial law.
Source: https://thanhnien.vn/them-loi-khai-bat-loi-cho-tong-thong-han-quoc-yoon-suk-yeol-185241213103858759.htm
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