A special counsel team said on May 4 it has found signs that the Defense Counterintelligence Command prepared for martial law since the first half of 2024, well before former President Yoon Suk Yeol's declaration in December that year. The team is investigating allegations surrounding the ousted president not covered by previous probes.
SEOUL (Yonhap) -- A special counsel team led by Kwon Chang-young updated reporters on Monday about its investigation into allegations surrounding ousted former President Yoon Suk Yeol, including his failed martial law bid not fully covered by previous special counsels.
"(We) have confirmed signs that the Defense Counterintelligence Command prepared for martial law since the first half of 2024," assistant special counsel Kim Ji-mi said in a briefing, citing the probe of officials from the military unit. She did not elaborate on specific preparations.
The findings support an earlier argument by special counsel Cho Eun-suk that Yoon prepared for his Dec. 3, 2024, declaration well in advance. In February, a district court sentenced Yoon to life imprisonment for leading an insurrection but ruled he decided on martial law only two days prior.
Cho's team has appealed, arguing Yoon's declaration was not a "spontaneous response." The Defense Counterintelligence Command faces accusations of involvement in martial law operations that night, such as attempting to send troops to the National Assembly and election watchdog.
