SEOUL, December 10 (AJP) - Former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun and National Police Chief Cho Ji-ho, central figures in the December 3 martial law declaration, are facing allegations of repeatedly changing their mobile phones after martial law was lifted.
Lawmakers speculated on Tuesday that the changes may have been an attempt to destroy evidence related to the controversial move.
Data from mobile telecom companies, obtained by Democratic Party (DP) lawmaker Hwang Jeong-ah, revealed that Kim replaced his phone multiple times shortly after martial law was lifted. On December 5, a day after martial law ended, Kim transferred his number to a different telecom provider at 5:06 p.m. and activated a new phone.
Just one hour and 20 minutes later, at 6:27 p.m., Kim switched his SIM card to another device. Records show that on December 6, at 10:28 p.m., Kim used another phone by moving his SIM card again.
Police Chief Cho Ji-ho, also implicated in martial law, reportedly replaced his phone twice within four days after the lifting of martial law, according to Hwang.
The actions of Kim and Cho have sparked suspicions that officials involved in the martial law declaration may have attempted to obstruct investigations or erase evidence. The timing of the phone changes has added to public concerns about potential tampering in relation to the controversial martial law.
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