Acting Defense Minister dismisses possibility of another martial law attempt

By Im Yoon-seo Posted : December 6, 2024, 17:01 Updated : December 11, 2024, 21:03
Acting Defense Minister Kim Seon-ho (right) speaks at the Defense Ministry headquarters in Yongsan, Seoul on Dec. 6, 2024. Yonhap
SEOUL, December 6 (AJP) - Acting Defense Minister Kim Sun-ho on Friday dismissed the possibility of another martial law attempt, saying that such a thing would "never" happen.

"Rumors about another similar attempt are completely groundless, and we will refuse any such actions," said Kim, who temporarily assumed the post after former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, who reportedly proposed the idea of declaring martial law to President Yoon Suk Yeol earlier this week and resigned to take responsibility for the botched plan.

Earlier in the day, the Center for Military Human Rights Korea (CMHRK) claimed that some Army units had been ordered to stay on emergency alert until the weekend, raising suspicions of another similar action looming.

But Kim stressed, "Even if such an order is given, the Defense Ministry and the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) will never obey it."

He also pledged to fully cooperate with a probe into the matter.

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