During the 12·3 martial law incident, A, who was a member of the martial law army, spoke out.
"A soldier defends the state and the people and is loyal." This principle, which is specified in Article 20 of the Armed Forces Act regarding the duty of loyalty, could not be upheld on the night of the proclamation of martial law on 12·3. Yoon Suk-yeol, the former president, mobilized the military for his political purposes, resulting in the martial law forces becoming a threat rather than a defender of national security. Looking at the current situation after the 12·3 insurrection incident, Yoon Suk-yeol is under trial for charges of being the mastermind of the insurrection, while former Minister of National Defense Kim Yong-hyun and military leaders Lee Jin-woo, Park An-soo, and others are facing trials on charges of being key personnel involved in the insurrection. Most of them deny the related charges and are engaged in intense court battles. On the other hand, the ordinary martial law soldiers who had to face citizens on-site under unconstitutional orders continue to suffer from PTSD and report mental distress. How are these martial law soldiers remembering that night, having had no choice but to grapple with the crossroads of disobedience and obedience? "PD Notebook" met them directly to document their testimonies.
▲ Incorrect missions and disobedience
Martial law soldier A recalled the situation of confronting the public on the night of the martial law and detailed the events that occurred within the military.
Former Capital Defense Command Operations Director Kim Moon-sang stopped the deployment of helicopters and armored vehicles, and 1st Special Forces Battalion Commander Kim Hyung-ki directed his troops to adopt a passive response instead of actively carrying out their missions. Even in the extreme situation of imminent danger, the small acts of disobedience by on-site commanders who courageously acted according to the constitution and military spirit did not cease. These small acts of disobedience helped to ease the confrontation between the military and citizens, which could have escalated into violent conflict. As a result, the members of the National Assembly were able to pass the resolution to lift martial law over the wall. "PD Notebook" reconstructed that day when the public and the military were in confrontation from the perspective of the martial law army.
▲ The secret meeting between the president and generals
"PD Notebook" secured and analyzed the investigation records of the 12·3 insurrection. It revealed that former President Yoon Suk-yeol held meetings with key military figures such as former Minister of National Defense Kim Yong-hyun, former Intelligence Command Chief Yeo In-hyung, and former Capital Defense Command Chief Lee Jin-woo at the presidential office and the Minister of National Defense's residence to plot the martial law. According to the generals' prosecution investigation reports, since early 2024, former President Yoon Suk-yeol directly mentioned martial law and specifically discussed targets for arrest and locations for martial law execution over a period of about a year. The investigation records reveal the underlying intentions of former President Yoon Suk-yeol's plotting of martial law and analyze what the generals might have been thinking during the insurrection.
The military has always been present in the crisis of democracy in Korea. Through this 12·3 insurrection, the Republic of Korea Army has faced another test. The majority of military leadership are set to face military trials as key personnel involved in the insurrection, while the remaining military has been tasked with restoring the honor of the army, which has fallen to the ground. The first step towards true military reform is thorough investigation of the insurrection and punishment of those involved. "PD Notebook" reported on the current situation of the military, which has been stigmatized as the martial law army. "December's insurrection, I was a martial law soldier" will be broadcast on the 24th at 10:20 p.m.
[OSEN]