Ministry of National Defense and Joint Chiefs of Staff: "There Will Be No Second Martial Law... No Need to Worry"

"Reviewing the Necessity of Investigating Troop Mobilization During Martial Law Situations"

The Ministry of National Defense stated on the night of the 3rd that it is "reviewing the necessity of an internal investigation" regarding the deployment of military forces to constitutional institutions such as the National Assembly and the National Election Commission following President Yoon Seok-yeol's declaration of martial law.

President Yoon Suk-yeol declared martial law on the night of the 3rd, and in the early morning of the 4th, martial law troops are attempting to enter the main building of the National Assembly. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

A Ministry of National Defense official said at a press briefing that day in response to related questions, "If the plan is concretely decided, we will explain it before implementation."

Kim Seon-ho, Deputy Minister of National Defense (acting Minister of National Defense), also appeared at an emergency hearing of the National Assembly's Defense Committee the previous day and responded to the ruling and opposition lawmakers' remarks on the need for an investigation regarding the deployment of forces to the National Assembly during martial law by saying that the necessity of an investigation would be reviewed.

Regarding the opposition's criticism that commanders of units who dispatched troops and personnel during martial law, such as the Special Warfare Command, Capital Defense Command, and Counterintelligence Command, should be dismissed from their posts, the Ministry official explained, "Even if we want to dismiss them, the reasons and procedures are necessary, so I think an accurate fact-finding investigation will be conducted and necessary measures will be taken."

The official also addressed the Korea Military Human Rights Center's claim that multiple army units received orders to prepare for emergency assembly of commanders by the 8th, which is suspected to be a sign of a second martial law, saying, "No military measures have been taken at the Ministry of National Defense level," and added, "You do not need to worry about a second martial law."

A Joint Chiefs of Staff official also asserted, "There will be no second martial law." An army official explained regarding the Korea Military Human Rights Center's claim, "The Army has not issued any guidelines controlling soldiers' outings or leaves, including commanders at the company commander level or above," and added, "We are checking whether units at each level have taken any measures in terms of strengthening vigilance or readiness."

Earlier, the Korea Military Human Rights Center held a press conference at its office in Mapo-gu, Seoul, in the morning and claimed, "Multiple units received instructions on the 4th from higher commands that commanders at the company commander level or above may have emergency assembly of commanders until the 8th, so leave is being controlled," calling it "a suspected sign of a second martial law."

Meanwhile, a Joint Chiefs of Staff official stated regarding the military's readiness posture related to the current situation, "We are maintaining an enhanced posture."