Police question ex-presidential chief of staff in martial law probe

Police said on Sunday, February 8, 2026, they are questioning former presidential chief of staff Chung Jin-suk over his alleged role in former President Yoon Suk Yeol's brief declaration of martial law in late 2024. Chung is suspected of ordering the wiping of about 1,000 computers at the presidential office after the Constitutional Court removed Yoon from office in April 2025. The probe includes allegations of damage to public electronic records.

On Sunday, February 8, 2026, at around 10:10 a.m., a police special investigation unit summoned former presidential chief of staff Chung Jin-suk as a suspect at the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency. Chung, considered one of former President Yoon Suk Yeol's closest aides, was previously under probe by a special counsel team over allegations that he deleted records and documents related to the martial law declaration from shared computers at the presidential office to destroy evidence.

Chung attended a Cabinet meeting convened by Yoon shortly before the decree was imposed in late 2024 and later met with Yoon inside a military control room ahead of a second Cabinet meeting the following day that lifted the decree. He is now suspected of having ordered the wiping of some 1,000 computers at the presidential office after the Constitutional Court removed Yoon from office in April 2025 over his martial law bid.

The probe includes allegations of damage to public electronic records. This questioning marks a continued effort to hold key figures accountable in the investigation into Yoon's brief imposition of martial law and its aftermath.

Articoli correlati

Heavy police presence secures Seoul court amid clashing pro- and anti-Yoon rallies before insurrection verdict.
Immagine generata dall'IA

Tight security in Seoul as Yoon awaits first verdict on 2024 martial law insurrection charges

Riportato dall'IA Immagine generata dall'IA

Police have bolstered security around Seoul's Central District Court amid rallies by supporters and critics of former President Yoon Suk Yeol ahead of the first verdict in his insurrection trial on February 19, 2026. Special prosecutors recommended the death penalty for his short-lived 2024 martial law declaration, with the ruling set for 3 p.m.

Seven of the 37 general-level officers punished for alleged involvement in former President Yoon Suk Yeol's failed 2024 martial law bid have filed lawsuits against South Korea's Defense Ministry to overturn their disciplinary actions, ranging from expulsion to duty suspensions. The litigants include former Defense Intelligence Commander Moon Sang-ho and former Drone Operations Commander Kim Yong-dae. A ministry document submitted to Rep. Choo Mi-ae of the ruling Democratic Party revealed the suits, while another 29 generals have appealed but not yet sued.

Riportato dall'IA

The Seoul Central District Court on February 19, 2026, sentenced former President Yoon Suk Yeol to life imprisonment for leading an insurrection through his failed December 3, 2024, martial law declaration. This first ruling deemed the bid an attempt to paralyze the National Assembly, opting for life over the death penalty sought by prosecutors due to incomplete planning and limited force.

President Lee Jae Myung's office announced on February 21 that it dismissed Korea Forest Service Minister Kim In-ho for committing a serious unlawful act in violation of existing laws. Police confirmed that Kim has been booked on charges of driving under the influence. The incident occurred in Seongnam's Bundang district.

Riportato dall'IA

Opposition leader Jang Dong-hyeok of the main opposition People Power Party called on Wednesday for separate special counsel probes into the Unification Church's alleged ties with ruling Democratic Party lawmakers and bribery linked to party nominations. He also demanded an independent investigation into the prosecution's controversial decision last November not to appeal a land development corruption case involving President Lee Jae-myung. The move comes amid the Democratic Party's push for a comprehensive special counsel investigation.

Questo sito web utilizza i cookie

Utilizziamo i cookie per l'analisi per migliorare il nostro sito. Leggi la nostra politica sulla privacy per ulteriori informazioni.
Rifiuta