Former defense minister accused of repeatedly changing phones after lifting of martial law

SEOUL, December 10 (AJP) - Former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun and National Police Chief Cho Ji-ho, central figures in the December 3 martial law declaration, are facing allegations of repeatedly changing their mobile phones after martial law was lifted. Lawmakers speculated on Tuesday that the changes may have been an attempt to destroy evidence related to the controversial move. Data from mobile telecom companies, obtained by Democratic Party (DP) lawmaker Hwang Jeong-ah, r

December 10, 2024

Special ops commander reveals President Yoon's order to 'drag out lawmakers' from National Assembly

SEOUL, December 10 (AJP) - South Korea's Army Special Warfare Command (SWC) commander Kwak Jong-geun revealed on Tuesday that President Yoon Suk Yeol ordered him to "drag out the lawmakers" from the National Assembly Main Hall. The alleged order came when politicians had gathered to unanimously pass a resolution to lift the emergency martial law early Wednesday, about three hours after the declaration. Straight after the declaration, some dozens of martial forces, co

December 10, 2024

National Assembly approves downsized budget for next year

SEOUL, December 10 (AJP) - South Korea’s opposition-controlled National Assembly on Tuesday approved the nation's 2024 budget of 673.3 trillion won ($470.8 billion), a 4.1 trillion won reduction from the government’s initial proposal, without the ruling party's consent. The budget bill was passed with 183 votes in favor, 94 against, and 1 abstention. The cuts were primarily driven by the main opposition Democratic Party, which has been critical of the Yoon Suk

December 10, 2024

Assembly approves bill for special investigation into Yoon's martial law declaration

SEOUL, December 10 (AJP) - South Korea's National Assembly passed a bill Tuesday for a permanent special counsel to investigate President Yoon Suk Yeol and senior officials over last week's failed martial law declaration. Yoon declared martial law last Tuesday, deploying troops to the National Assembly and National Election Commission, before canceling the measure six hours later after parliament voted against it. The independent investigation bill passed with 210 lawmake

December 10, 2024

US reaffirms 'ironclad' alliance with South Korea

SEOUL, December 10 (AJP) - The U.S. on Monday reaffirmed its alliance with South Korea will remain "ironclad." "The alliance between the remains ironclad. We are committed to the peace and security of the Korean Peninsula, and we will continue to be," said State Department spokesperson Matthew Miller during a press briefing. "We will keep lines of communication open with all relevant parties in . The legal process and the poli

December 10, 2024

Ex-defense chief to skip arrest warrant hearing over alleged collusion with Yoon

SEOUL, December 10 (AJP) - Former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun will not attend his arrest warrant hearing scheduled for Tuesday. Prosecutors requested his arrest warrant the previous day for allegedly conspiring with President Yoon Suk Yeol in the abrupt declaration of martial law that shook the nation last week. The warrant states that Kim allegedly colluded with Yoon to carry out the late-night mission last Tuesday, accusing him of abuse of authority and treason. Prosecuto

December 10, 2024

Prosecutors seek arrest warrant for ex-defense chief over martial law declaration

SEOUL, December 9 (AJP) -- Seoul prosecutors on Monday requested a court warrant to arrest former Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun in connection with the Dec. 3 martial law declaration. President Yoon Suk Yeol imposed martial law last Tuesday and sent armed forces to the National Assembly. The measure was canceled six hours later after the parliament voted against it. Kim, who allegedly played a key role in proposing and implementing the emergency decree, faces charges of insurrect

December 10, 2024

Yoon's approval rating nosedives

SEOUL, December 9 (AJP) - President Yoon Suk Yeol's approval rating has dipped to an all-time low since he took office, according to a poll. In a Realmeter poll of some 1,012 people nationwide surveyed last week and released on Monday, only 17.3 percent of respondents said Yoon is doing a good job, down 7.7 percentage points from a week earlier. After his aborted martial law gambit last week, his disapproval rating rose to 79.2 percent, up 8.2 percentage point from the previo

December 9, 2024

Assembly panel passes bill for special counsel probe into Yoon's martial law declaration

SEOUL, December 9 (AJP) - A National Assembly committee on Monday approved a proposal to appoint a permanent special counsel to investigate President Yoon Suk Yeol and top officials on charges of rebellion and other allegations related to his aborted martial law declaration last week. The proposal, led by the main opposition Democratic Party, passed the Legislation and Judiciary Committee and is expected to be put to a vote during a plenary session on Tuesday. Unlike a regular sp

December 9, 2024

Yoon slapped with travel ban over failed martial law attempt

SEOUL, December 9 (AJP) - The Ministry of Justice imposed a travel ban on President Yoon Suk Yeol over his aborted martial law gambit last week. It came after police said they do not rule out questioning Yoon over treason charges and Oh Dong-woon, the chief of the Corruption Investigation Office for High-Ranking Officials (CIO), an independent agency established to root out corruption in government, ordered a travel ban on Yoon. Earlier in the day, Woo Jong-soo, head of the Natio

December 9, 2024