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Military officers look somber during a plenary session of the National Assembly’s defense committee on Tuesday afternoon, as questions about the military during martial law imposition continue. (Yonhap) |
Senior officers of the military were ordered to be on standby for a North Korea-related situation in the days leading up to President Yoon Suk Yeol’s declaration of martial law, in another sign that the events that unfolded on Dec. 3 were plotted in advance.
Colonel-level commanders were called to be on guard for an imminent provocation by North Korea on Dec. 1, two days before Yoon declared martial law, according to Maj. Gen. Lee Kyung-min.
Speaking before the National Assembly on Tuesday, Lee said suspended Defense Counterintelligence Commander Lt. Gen. Yeo In-hyung cited a “serious North Korean filth balloon situation” in ordering them to be on alert for further directions.
Lee has been the acting defense counterintelligence commander since Yeo was suspended from his duties Friday.
Defense Intelligence Commander Maj. Gen. Moon Sang-ho said former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, who resigned following impeachment calls, asked him to “be ready for a nighttime mission” at around 10 a.m. on Dec. 3. Yoon delivered the televised announcement of martial law at around 10:20 p.m. that day.
Moon said Kim again told him to “organize a team to be ready for mission” at 9 p.m. near the government compound in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province, where the National Election Commission headquarters is located.
Troops raided the election watchdog’s office shortly after martial law was announced by the president.
Army Chief of Staff Gen. Park An-su, who was appointed as martial law commander, revealed that he held a one-on-one meeting with the former defense minister at around 4 p.m. on the day martial law was declared.
Park has so far claimed he learned of the president’s martial law plans from the TV announcement.
