Data reveals soldiers equipped with thousands of live rounds during martial law raid

By Park Sae-jin Posted : December 18, 2024, 10:26 Updated : December 18, 2024, 10:26
Soldiers leave the National Assembly in Seoul on Dec. 4, as martial law is lifted. Yonhap
SEOUL, December 18 (AJP) - Military soldiers who stormed the National Assembly shortly after President Yoon Suk Yeol's botched declaration of martial law early this month were equipped with thousands of live rounds and 100 Taser cartridges, a lawmaker said on Tuesday.

Data submitted to the main opposition Democratic Party (DP)'s four-term lawmaker Seo Young-ko by the Special Warfare Command (SWC) revealed that they took nearly 6,000 rounds including 3,960 live rounds and 1,980 blank rounds.

They were also armed with 100 Taser cartridges for non-lethal purposes to carry out their overnight mission, which took place shortly after Yoon abruptly declared martial law at around 10:30 p.m. on Dec. 3, citing threats to national security.

But Seo added that their ammunition was later retrieved.

At around 11:00 p.m., approximately 280 special forces soldiers were airdropped into the National Assembly, breaking through reinforced glass windows to storm the National Assembly's main building.

During a Defense Committee meeting on Dec. 10, SWC commander Kwak Jong-geun revealed that Yoon had ordered to "breach the doors [of the main hall] and drag out the people inside."

The soldiers, however, faced strong resistance from National Assembly officials, who barricaded corridors and staircases with furniture to prevent chaos as lawmakers gathered to vote on the lifting of martial law.

The National Assembly was not the only facility targeted. Martial forces also seized provincial offices and other government buildings, including the National Election Committee in Gwacheon, southern Seoul.

Yoon's short-lived martial law attempt ended several hours later when 190 lawmakers unanimously voted to lift it.

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