Fast facts: South Korea’s former PM, spy chief arrested over martial law declaration
South Korea’s political crisis has deepened with the arrests of former Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn and ex-intelligence chief Cho Tae-yong over their roles in former President Yoon Suk-yeol’s failed martial law declaration in December 2024.
The detentions come amid widening probes into Yoon’s attempt to cling to power before his ouster and arrest earlier this year.
What to know:
- Former prime minister Hwang Kyo-ahn and ex-National Intelligence Service chief Cho Tae-yong were arrested over the short-lived martial law declared by former president Yoon Suk-yeol in December 2024.
- Hwang faces charges of inciting an insurrection after calling online for the arrest of the National Assembly speaker and the “eradication” of alleged election fraud figures.
- Cho is accused of violating NIS law by failing to report plans for martial law to the National Assembly, despite reportedly knowing of their illegality.
Why it matters:
- The arrests deepen South Korea’s ongoing political crisis stemming from Yoon’s failed power grab, which saw armed soldiers storm parliament.
- Prosecutors have added new indictments against Yoon, accusing him of sending drones into North Korea to justify martial law and leaking military secrets when one crashed near Pyongyang.
- Yoon, ousted in April and detained since January, is the first sitting president in South Korean history to be arrested. His wife, Kim Keon Hee, is also in custody on corruption charges.
What they said:
- Prosecutors allege Cho “understood the illegality” of Yoon’s martial law plan but remained silent.
- State Prosecutor Park Ji-young said Yoon now faces charges of “benefitting the enemy in general and abuse of power.”
- At his hearing, Cho denied all charges, while Hwang has not yet publicly commented beyond his earlier social media post supporting Yoon’s declaration.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
