South Korea: “Confirmation that Yoon Attempted to Arrest Key Politicians through Counterintelligence Commander from Chungam High School”
Han Dong-hoon, leader of the People Power Party, stated that “it is necessary to promptly suspend President Yoon Suk-yeol’s duties,” indicating support for an impeachment motion.
On the morning of the 6th, Han convened an urgent Supreme Council meeting at the National Assembly, where he declared, “I have verified through credible sources the fact that, on the day martial law was declared, President Yoon ordered the arrest of key politicians under the pretext of them being anti-state actors, through his high school junior, Commander Yeo In-hyung of the counterintelligence unit.” This revelation suggests the president used intelligence agencies to arrest politicians.
Han further noted, “It has been revealed that Commander Yeo had specific plans to detain these politicians at a holding facility in Gwacheon. This will be made public through various channels going forward.” This is the first time the claim that the government planned to arrest and detain politicians during the state of martial law has been officially raised by an involved party.
He added, “Although I mentioned yesterday that I would work to ensure this impeachment does not pass to prevent the harm to citizens and supporters due to unprepared chaos, considering the newly uncovered facts, I believe it is essential to suspend President Yoon’s duties promptly to protect South Korea and its people.”
Han also criticized, “President Yoon has yet to take personnel action against the military officials illegally involved in this case. Commander Yeo remains in his position. Moreover, he does not acknowledge that the military curfew was wrong. Thus, if President Yoon continues as the President of South Korea, there is a significant risk of a recurrence of extreme actions like the recent emergency martial law, potentially endangering South Korea and its citizens.”
The Supreme Council meeting on this day was unexpected, with the People Power Party abruptly announcing its start at 7:30 a.m. Although initially scheduled for 8:40 a.m., the meeting began more than 40 minutes later, at 9:20 a.m., without any further notice.
At the meeting, aside from Han, no other Supreme Council members spoke. Kim Jae-won, a pro-Yoon faction Supreme Council member, stated, “As of now, I haven’t confirmed the facts as a Supreme Council member. Once the facts are clarified, I think it’s better to discuss my conclusions in the next steps.”