Kim Tae-hyo, former first deputy director of the Office of National Security under former President Yoon Suk-yeol, who faces allegations that he delivered messages to allied countries justifying the Dec. 3 martial law declared by Yoon Suk-yeol, has been arrested.
On the 10th, Presiding Judge for rebellion warrants Budong-sik at the Seoul Central District Court issued an arrest warrant for Kim, the former deputy director, as requested by the 2nd comprehensive special counsel team. The reason cited was "concerns about destruction of evidence."
The charges applied to the former deputy director Kim are engagement in important duties related to insurrection and abuse of power to obstruct the exercise of rights. He is accused of promoting the legitimacy of martial law to major allies, including the United States, through foreign affairs officials immediately after the declaration of martial law.
The message delivered by the former deputy director Kim was reported to include content such as "this measure is to defend liberal democracy" and "it was a political demonstration within the bounds of the Constitution."
The investigation period for the 2nd special counsel team runs until the 24th. The Democratic Party of Korea is pushing to pass a revision to the special counsel law to extend the investigation period by 30 days.