South Korea, introduction of martial law. Former Defense Minister Kim Jong Hjun arrested on charges of high treason

The former Minister of National Defense was arrested on charges of high treason as part of an investigation into President Jun Suk Jeol's declaration of martial law. It lasted only six hours and was canceled under pressure from parliament and social protests.

According to the South Korean opposition and media, the head of the Ministry of Defense, who resigned on Thursday, was an active supporter of the introduction of martial law, which was considered undemocratic, and personally ordered the military to take control of the seat of the National Assembly in Seoul.

Minister Kim Jong Hjun expressed regret for the actions taken and for taking the army to the streets. According to a statement from the Ministry of Defense, the former minister stated that “all soldiers who performed their duties in connection with martial law acted according to my instructions and all responsibility rests with me.”

>> He apologizes, but he won't budge. The president in his first speech after the lifting of martial law

President Jun Suk Jeol justified the introduction of martial law by the need to eliminate opposition “anti-state forces”, which he accused of paralyzing the government's work and sympathizing with communist North Korea. The issued decree prohibited, among others: any political activity, including the activities of political parties, parliament, local councils and demonstrations. The martial law management staff also imposed control over the media. Six hours after its introduction, martial law – considered “grotesque” by some media – was canceled.

The agencies note that President Jun Suk Jeol's declaration of martial law has plunged South Korea – Asia's fourth-largest economy and an important regional US military ally – into the worst political crisis in decades.

On Saturday, President Jun Suk Jeol avoided impeachment because there was no quorum in parliament to vote on the opposition's motion on the matter. Deputies of the ruling People's Power Party left the National Assembly hall before the vote. 192 opposition MPs and one PWL MP remained in the room. To pass the motion, the opposition needed the support of at least eight deputies of the PWL, from which Jun comes. The opposition announced that it would resubmit the motion to impeach Jun.

On Sunday, PML Chairman Han Dong Hun, after a meeting with Prime Minister Han Duk Su, stated that President Jun would not perform state duties, including diplomatic duties, until he “resigns” from the position. Earlier, Han announced that the ruling party would “strive for the orderly resignation” of the president to “minimize confusion” in the country.

Han assured on Sunday that he would announce a “specific” timetable for Jun's departure after discussions within the party. – We will ensure that the ongoing investigation into martial law is conducted rigorously, (…) and the government or party will not defend anyone, including the president – he said, quoted by Yonhap. A joint investigation into this case was initiated last week by the military and government prosecutor's offices.

Prime Minister Han said that “the government will adopt a humble stance and ask for cooperation from the National Assembly.” The ruling party has 108 seats in parliament, while the opposition camp has 192. – The management of state affairs must not be hindered, Han emphasized, appealing to deputies to urgently adopt the state budget. The Prime Minister called for 2 p.m. local time (6 a.m. in Poland) cabinet meeting. The head of government assured that maintaining the alliance with the US and trilateral cooperation with Japan and the US remain “important tasks” for the authorities in Seoul.

The largest opposition Democratic Party said it would file motions to impeach Jun every week until he is removed. At the same time, she repeated her call for the “immediate” arrest of the president and an investigation, as well as the dismissal of the supreme military commander.