Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun's Proposal of Martial Law to Yoon [News Figures]

President Yoon Seok-yeol, One Year Senior at Chungam High School
Close Aide from Military General Background 'Chungampa'
Denied 'Martial Law Preparation Suspicion' During Confirmation Hearing

After the declaration of martial law at around 10:20 PM on the 3rd was lifted six hours later at around 4:20 AM on the 4th, attention is focused on Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun, who is known to have recommended the declaration of martial law to President Yoon Seok-yeol.

On the 4th, a Ministry of National Defense official confirmed to reporters' questions asking, "Is it true that the minister recommended martial law?" by saying, "Yes, that is correct." According to the current Martial Law Act, the Minister of National Defense or the Minister of the Interior and Safety may recommend the declaration of martial law to the president through the Prime Minister when martial law reasons arise.

Defense Minister Kim Yong-hyun speaking [Photo by Kim Hyun-min]

Minister Kim Yong-hyun (65) was born in 1959 in Masan City, Gyeongnam Province (now Changwon City). After graduating from Seoul Chung-Ang High School, he was commissioned as part of the 38th class of the Korea Military Academy and held key military positions such as Chief Secretary of the Army Headquarters, Commander of the Capital Defense Command, and Director of Operations at the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He was once considered a strong candidate for Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff but retired as a lieutenant general in November 2017.

Minister Kim is one year senior to President Yoon at Chung-Ang High School. After President Yoon was elected in March 2022, Kim served as the deputy head of the Blue House relocation task force within the Presidential Transition Committee. He played a leading role in moving the presidential office to the Yongsan Ministry of National Defense building.

In May of the same year, when the Yoon Seok-yeol administration officially launched, he was appointed as the first head of the Presidential Security Service. During his tenure, he was embroiled in allegations of exerting external pressure on the investigation into the death of the late Corporal Chae Soo-geun. After the Marine Corps investigation team's announcement was canceled in July last year, it was reported that he had multiple phone calls with then-Defense Minister Lee Jong-seop.

In February, he sparked controversy over excessive presidential security at the KAIST graduation ceremony due to the 'mouth-covering' incident involving a graduate. When graduate Shin Min-ki (spokesperson for the Green Justice Party Daejeon branch) shouted to President Yoon during his congratulatory speech, "Restore the R&D budget," security guards covered his mouth and forcibly removed him, which became the source of the controversy.

Troops entering the National Assembly main building Photo by Yonhap News

Minister Kim is classified as a close aide to President Yoon. Last November, when the dismissal of then-National Intelligence Service Director Kim Kyu-hyun was imminent, Kim Yong-hyun was strongly mentioned as a leading candidate for the successor.

He was then nominated as the 50th Minister of National Defense in August. During the September National Assembly National Defense Committee hearing for the Minister of National Defense, opposition parties strongly raised suspicions about preparations for a 'martial law' under the Yoon Seok-yeol administration. The fact that President Yoon's Chung-Ang High School seniors and juniors, called the 'Chung-Ang faction,' were placed in key military and police positions was cited as evidence. Minister of the Interior and Safety Lee Sang-min is also a Chung-Ang High School alumnus, which heightened opposition concerns.

At that time, Minister Kim rebutted, saying, "Calling four out of nearly 400 military generals the 'Chung-Ang faction' could incite division within the military." He also said, "In the current situation of the Republic of Korea, which citizen would accept martial law if it were declared? I don't think I would comply," adding, "I think martial law is not appropriate for this era. You don't need to worry too much."

Democratic Party lawmaker Kim Byung-joo appeared on CBS 2 o'clock Live on the 4th and pointed out, "(The government) is structured in a way that makes it easy to propose martial law when cornered," calling this structure the greatest risk. Lawmaker Kim has previously strongly raised suspicions about preparations for martial law. He said, "The only people who can recommend martial law are the Minister of the Interior and Safety and the Minister of National Defense, both of whom are Chung-Ang High School alumni," adding, "There may be no one to make rational judgments or to apply brakes in the middle."