A South Korean court on Wednesday extended the arrests of former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun and former Defense Counterintelligence Commander Yeo In-hyung over suspicions tied to ex-President Yoon Suk Yeol's brief martial law imposition. The Seoul Central District Court granted the warrants requested by a special counsel team investigating the December 2024 incident. The decision was based on concerns that the suspects might destroy evidence.
The Seoul Central District Court issued warrants on December 24 to extend the detentions of former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun and former Defense Counterintelligence Commander Yeo In-hyung, following a request from a special counsel team probing suspicions linked to ex-President Yoon Suk Yeol's short-lived martial law declaration in December 2024. Kim's detention was due to expire on Thursday, while Yeo's was set to end on January 2. The court approved the extension citing risks that the suspects could tamper with evidence.
Both individuals have been in custody since last December for their alleged involvement in the martial law scheme. They were additionally indicted last month on charges of aiding the enemy and abuse of power for reportedly ordering the deployment of drones to Pyongyang around October 2024. According to the special counsel, the drone dispatch was intended to provoke North Korean retaliation, providing a pretext for Yoon's martial law two months later.
Under South Korean law, the maximum detention period for a first-instance trial is six months, but it can be prolonged if additional charges are filed. This case forms part of broader investigations into the martial law attempt, with Kim and Yeo positioned as key figures in the planning.
