South Korea's former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun has been indicted for his alleged role in a martial law plan that was devised in 2016. The plan, in case of public disorder following the impeachment of then-president Park Geun-hye, aimed to deploy troops and potentially restrict civil liberties. This indictment is a major step in the ongoing investigation into whether the military drew up martial law plans to suppress protests that ultimately led to Park's ouster.
The South Korean prosecutors' office alleges that Kim and another military official, who has not been publicly identified, endorsed a contingency plan to deploy troops if protests against Park turned violent. The plan would have given the military the power to ban protests, issue arrest warrants, and limit press freedoms - measures that are common under martial law but are generally seen as a last resort during times of extreme national crisis.
This indictment comes amid ongoing political turmoil in South Korea, as the country's current president, Moon Jae-in, has been under increasing pressure to address corruption and other scandals. The case against Kim is part of a broader investigation into the military's role during the impeachment proceedings against Park, who was removed from office in March 2017 following massive protests. She was later convicted on corruption charges and is currently serving a lengthy prison term.
In a statement, the prosecutors' office said that the martial law plan was not enacted and that the military did not have the legal authority to implement such a plan. However, the existence of the plan and the alleged involvement of high-ranking military officials have raised questions about the military's role in domestic politics and the potential for abuses of power.
Kim has denied any wrongdoing and has said that the martial law plan was part of regular contingency planning and not designed to suppress protests. His indictment is likely to further fuel political tensions in South Korea, particularly as the country prepares for a presidential election in March 2022.