Special Probe Launched into Allegations Yoon Suk-yeol Plotted Martial Law to Eliminate Opponents, Seize Power

A special prosecutor team has launched an investigation into allegations that former President Yoon Suk-yeol plotted martial law to eliminate opposition forces and monopolize power. Special Prosecutor Cho Eun-seok's team announced on the 15th that they will investigate allegations that Yoon had been preparing for martial law with these objectives since before October 2023. The special prosecutor explained that Yoon and others allegedly planned to use the military to suspend political activities and the function of the National Assembly, and to seize legislative and judicial power through an emergency legislative body. They added that they had confirmed the fact that Yoon attempted to declare martial law to eliminate opponents and maintain power. According to the special prosecutor, Yoon Suk-yeol attempted to induce armed provocations from North Korea through abnormal military operations in order to create a pretext for declaring martial law, but failed. It was revealed that the military deployed 18 drones into North Korea from October 2 to November 18, 2024. It was also confirmed that Yoon Suk-yeol stated at a dinner with the People Power Party leadership on November 25, 2022, "I have emergency powers. Even if I am shot dead, I will sweep them all away." Furthermore, the special prosecutor confirmed that the military personnel assignments related to martial law recorded in former Commander Noh Sang-won's notebook were reflected as is after October 2023.

In Noh's notebook, memos such as "Collapse all leftist forces in preparation for the next presidential election" were also found. The special prosecutor confirmed that in former Defense Security Command Commander Yeo In-hyung's memo, along with the operation of a politician arrest team, the names of then-Democratic Party leader Lee Jae-myung, then-People Power Party leader Han Dong-hoon, and National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik were written. In addition, a memo was found on Yeo's mobile phone stating, "Enemy action comes first. A situation where control is impossible due to war or police force must occur." The special prosecutor also revealed that Yoon Suk-yeol delivered documents such as 'Block National Assembly Funds' and 'Budget Allocation for National Emergency Legislative Body' to former Deputy Prime Minister for Economy and Minister of Strategy and Finance Choe Sang-mok, and documents such as 'Cut off electricity and water to 5 media companies' and 'Block Democratic Party Headquarters' to former Minister of Justice Lee Sang-min. Special Prosecutor Cho Eun-seok stated that a total of 24 people, including Yoon Suk-yeol, Han Duck-soo, Lee Sang-min, and Choo Kyung-ho, have been indicted. The special prosecutor stated that Yoon Suk-yeol's purpose in declaring martial law on December 3 of last year was to brand and eliminate those who opposed him, such as the opposition party, as anti-state forces, while also addressing the judicial risks of Kim Keon-hee and himself as major motivations. The special prosecutor team stated that Yoon Suk-yeol and former National Security Office Director Kim Yong-hyun finalized the timing of martial law after the general election, and continued to discuss how to proceed with martial law regardless of the election results. Furthermore, it was confirmed that former Commander Noh Sang-won directly contacted an intelligence agency official on September 9 of last year and requested 'select 7-8 special agents who are good at shooting and demolition,' thus beginning the process of selecting personnel.