Written by Jack Kim
SEOUL (Reuters) – A short-lived martial law decree imposed earlier this month is intended to raise concern about opposition parties abusing the democratic process, lawyers for a former South Korean defense minister being investigated on sedition charges said on Thursday.
Former Defense Minister Kim Young-hyun was the first in a series of officials to be arrested, and will likely be the first to face indictment on charges of being a central figure in President Yeon Suk-yul's sudden declaration of martial law on December 3.
At a press conference on Thursday, two of Kim's lawyers echoed much of the argument Yoon made after the announcement he made just six hours later, saying it was a necessary decision to eliminate anti-state elements that were threatening the country's democracy.
“The martial law was to cause concern, and what is very clear is that there were no casualties and the troops were withdrawn in an orderly manner after it was lifted,” lawyer Yoo Seung-soo told reporters.
Yoo also said that Yoon nullified Kim's attempt to impose a curfew as part of martial law, which is proof that the president intended no harm to the public.
Another lawyer, Ri Ha Sang, said the mutiny charges against Kim and Yoon are “ridiculous” and ignore the president's constitutional authority to impose martial law when he deems it necessary.
Kim, who attempted suicide while in detention on December 11, had previously said he took full responsibility for the anxiety caused by the martial law decree, but said the investigation against him and the president was illegal.
Parliament impeached Yoon on December 14 in a vote joined by some members of the ruling People Power Party, and he now faces a trial before the Constitutional Court that will determine whether or not to return him to office.
On Wednesday, he did not respond to the latest subpoenas for questioning in a separate criminal investigation and did not submit legal submissions requested by the Constitutional Court, which is scheduled to hold its first session on Friday.
Yoon's repeated defiance sparked criticism and calls from the opposition for his arrest.
