Special Prosecutor's Comprehensive Probe Indicts Former JCS Chairman Kim Myung-soo
The indictment of former JCS Chairman Kim Myung-soo and allegations that he was involved in the insurrection tied to the Dec. 3 martial law declaration are the key issues. Quickly review the special prosecutor's findings and the core charges, and take a look at the related points of contention.
The second comprehensive special counsel indicted former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Kim Myeongsu without detention in connection with the December 3 emergency martial law. The special counsel believes that after the declaration of martial law, former Chairman Kim observed the military’s deployment to the National Assembly and was involved in organizing the martial law command, thereby participating in a key role in insurrection.
The special counsel also indicted former Joint Chiefs of Staff Deputy Chairman Jeong Jinpal, former Army Headquarters Policy Office Director Kim Heungjoon, and former Joint Chiefs of Staff Deputy Director for Operational Readiness Inspection Lee Jaesik on the same charges and had them detained. They were figures who held key positions in the Joint Chiefs of Staff leadership at the time of martial law.
Former Chairman Kim is accused of instructing the Special Warfare Command and the Capital Defense Command to prioritize martial law duties immediately after the declaration of martial law, and of failing to withdraw troops even as clashes broke out at the National Assembly. On the other hand, the special counsel determined that three others, including former Joint Chiefs of Staff Operations Headquarters Chief Lee Seungo, were not guilty and did not indict them.