Seoul, South Korea – In a dramatic turn of events in the ongoing impeachment trial of South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol, a former high-ranking official from the National Intelligence Service (NIS) testified that Yoon ordered the arrest of political figures during the December 3rd Emergency Martial Law.
Hong Jang-won, former First Deputy Director of the NIS, made the explosive claims while appearing before the Constitutional Court on February 4th. The testimony has added fuel to the already heated debate surrounding Yoon’s leadership and potentially strengthens the case for his impeachment.
During the hearing, representatives from the National Assembly questioned Hong about Yoon’s alleged instructions. Specifically, they asked if Yoon had ordered, Arrest them all, the NIS will take over ‘anti-communist’ (anti-espionage) investigations and assist the Defense Security Command. Hong responded affirmatively, confirming the directive.
However, Hong clarified that he did not receive specific instructions regarding who to arrest. He stated that he contacted then-Defense Security Commander, Yeo In-hyung, to clarify the scope of the order.
The National Assembly presented phone records during the hearing, documenting communication between Hong, Yoon, and Yeo on the day of the martial law declaration. According to the records, Yoon attempted to call Hong around 8:00 PM on the day of the martial law declaration, but Hong did not answer. Hong then returned the call around 8:22 PM. The content of these conversations is crucial to understanding the extent of Yoon’s alleged involvement and the specifics of the arrest orders.
The implications of Hong’s testimony are significant. If proven true, Yoon’s actions could be interpreted as an abuse of power and a violation of constitutional principles. The impeachment trial is now poised to delve deeper into these allegations, scrutinizing the phone records and potentially calling further witnesses to corroborate or refute Hong’s claims.
The December 3rd Emergency Martial Law, the context for these alleged orders, remains a contentious issue in South Korean politics. Critics argue that it was an overreach of executive power, while supporters maintain it was necessary to maintain stability in a time of perceived crisis.
The Constitutional Court’s decision in the impeachment trial will have far-reaching consequences for South Korea’s political landscape. The trial is expected to continue for several weeks, with intense public and media scrutiny. The future of Yoon Suk-yeol’s presidency hangs in the balance.
References:
- Yonhap News Agency. (2025, February 4). 韩前情报机构高层作证称尹锡悦戒严当时指示抓人 [Former Intelligence Official Testifies South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol Ordered Arrests During Martial Law]. Retrieved from [Insert original URL here – if available].
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