'National Assembly Blocked as Emergency Martial Law Declared' Police Chief Reported to the Corruption Investigation Office

Illegal Orders Enforced Using Police Force
Calls for Thorough Investigation and Strict Punishment

President Yoon Suk-yeol's declaration of martial law led to the indictment of Police Commissioner Jo Ji-ho, Seoul Police Commissioner Kim Bong-sik, and others who mobilized police forces to block the National Assembly, by the High-ranking Officials' Crime Investigation Division (HOCI).

Police are controlling the main gate of the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, as President Yoon Suk-yeol declares martial law. Photo by Yonhap News

On the 4th, Min Gwan-gi, former chairman of the National Police Union, and others announced that they would file charges against Commissioner Jo, Commissioner Kim, the Deputy Chief of the Public Safety Department of the Seoul Police Agency, and the Chief of the Security Department of the Seoul Police Agency for violations of Article 87 (Treason), Article 123 (Abuse of Authority), Article 124 (Arrest or Detention by Abuse of Authority), Article 122 (Neglect of Duty) of the Criminal Act, and other related laws.

According to the complaint, Commissioner Jo was specified as having approved the unjust declaration of martial law, actively executed it, and led actions that threatened the constitutional order.

Commissioner Kim was noted to have specifically directed the enforcement of martial law and executed illegal orders by mobilizing police forces. It was also stated that he ignored internal police objections who opposed the martial law or questioned its legal legitimacy, and forced the justification of martial law enforcement.

The accusers stated, “The Police Commissioner, Seoul Police Commissioner, Deputy Chief of the Public Safety Department, and Chief of the Security Department clearly violated the Constitution and laws as key executors of the unjust enforcement of martial law,” and added, “Thorough investigation and strict punishment are necessary to protect the people and constitutional values.”