Yoon's former close aide denies allegations in botched martial law debacle

By Im Yoon-seo Posted : February 11, 2025, 17:32 Updated : February 11, 2025, 17:44
 
Former Interior and Safety Minister Lee Sang-min speaks at a hearing for President Yoon Suk Yeol's impeachment trial at the Constitutional Court of Korea in Seoul on Feb. 11, 2025. Yonhap
SEOUL, February 11 (AJP) - Former Interior and Safety Minister Lee Sang-min broke his silence to side with President Yoon Suk Yeol during a hearing for his impeachment trial at the Constitutional Court of Korea on Tuesday.

Lee, a close aide to Yoon, had previously refused to answer, citing his right to remain silent over Yoon's botched martial law debacle last December. But Lee, who appeared at the hearing as a witness, changed his stance this time, giving detailed explanations to deny most of the allegations related to the Dec. 3 declaration of martial law.

When asked whether Yoon had ordered the cutoff of power and water supply to several media outlets, Lee said he had never received such an order, although he had glanced at similar memos on his desk.

But he added, "I don't know exactly what the memo was or whether it was actually carried out."
 
Former Defense Minister Shin Won-sik (center) arrives at the Constitutional Court of Korea in Seoul on Feb. 11, 2025. Yonhap 
Former Defense Minister Shin Won-sik, who also appeared as a witness at the hearing, recalled that Yoon had brought up the issue of "emergency measures" sometime in March or April last year, but he had never thought of martial law at the time and voiced his opinion that it would be "inappropriate" in any case.

Meanwhile, the court is set to hold another hearing on Thursday, with top intelligence officials and police officers scheduled to testify.

The upcoming hearing may be the last one, although there is still a possibility of additional hearings as the court is reviewing whether to summon more witnesses.

Otherwise, the court will begin its deliberation to determine whether to impeach or reinstate the president, which normally takes about two weeks, meaning that any decision is expected to be made by early March.

Should the impeachment be upheld, Yoon would be ousted from office, leading to a snap presidential election within 60 days.

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