Top police officials arrested in martial law probe

By Kim Joo-heon Posted : December 14, 2024, 11:37 Updated : December 14, 2024, 11:37
Cho Ji-ho (left), commissioner general of the National Police Agency, and Kim Bong-sik, head of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency, attend a session at the National Assembly in Seoul on Dec. 5, 2024. Yonhap
SEOUL, December 14 (AJP) - South Korea's two highest-ranking police officials were arrested Friday over their alleged roles in President Yoon Suk Yeol's failed martial law imposition last week.

The Seoul Central District Court issued the arrest warrants for Cho Ji-ho, commissioner general of the National Police Agency, and Kim Bong-sik, chief of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency. 

The court cited concerns about the potential destruction of evidence.

Yoon imposed martial law on the night of Dec. 3, sending troops and helicopters to the National Assembly. The decree was canceled after lawmakers voted against it.

The two top police officers are accused of mobilizing police forces to block lawmakers from accessing the National Assembly and prevent them from convening to pass a resolution to lift the martial law. 

According to investigators, the two met with Yoon and former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun at a secure government residence just three hours before the martial law declaration. 

During the meeting, Yoon reportedly handed them a martial law operations manual.

Following the declaration, Cho is said to have received six phone calls from the president, instructing him to arrest lawmakers.

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