Former military commander testifies against South Korea's ousted president

ANKARA

A former senior army commander testified Monday against South Korea’s ousted President Yoon Suk Yeol during his fifth hearing, Yonhap News Agency reported.

Retired Brigadier General Lee Sang-hyun said Yoon instructed soldiers to "drag out" lawmakers from the National Assembly, "even if it meant tearing down the doors with an axe," on the night of Dec. 3, 2024, when Yoon declared martial law during a televised address, accusing the Democratic Party (DPK) of engaging in "anti-state activities" and collaborating with "North Korean communists" to destroy the country.

That evening, Lee deployed Special Warfare Command (SWC) troops to the National Assembly in western Seoul and is said to have overseen the operation while carrying live ammunition in his command vehicle.

The National Assembly eventually voted to end martial law on Dec. 4.

Lee was indicted without detention in February on charges including participating in an insurrection and abuse of power.

A South Korean military court will begin a trial of seven former military officers next week over their alleged involvement Yoon’s botched martial law bid, the military said.

The officers include the former commander of the Army's 707th Special Mission Group and six other soldiers who have all been placed on compulsory leave of absence, according to Yonhap.

The first hearing for the trial will take place at the central regional military court on June 5, two days after the country’s snap presidential election.

Among the soldiers facing trial are Brig. Gen. Lee Sang-hyun, former commander of the 1st Special Forces Brigade, and Maj. Gen. Park Heon-su, head of the Defense Ministry's criminal investigation command.

All seven officers have been indicted on charges of involvement in Yoon’s failed martial law attempt.

Park has since been excluded from his duties, while the remaining soldiers have been dismissed from their posts.

They have been retained as servicemen, however, enabling the military to potentially take disciplinary measures if they are found guilty by the court.

The same military court is also hearing a trial involving another five key former commanders, including former martial law commander Park An-su, over their alleged involvement in martial law operations.

The country's Constitutional Court last month removed Yoon from office over his martial law bid.

Yoon is also facing criminal charges for allegedly leading an insurrection with the martial law attempt.

*Aamir Latif contributed to this story from Pakistan