Opposition: "Counterintelligence Service's Preemptive Martial Law Preparations"... Yeoinhyeong: "Unaware in Advance"

Lee Giheon "Counterintelligence Commander, Shamelessly Lying"
Yeo Inhyeong, Asked About Arrest List, "Don't Remember"

Lee Ki-heon, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, announced on the 7th that "the Defense Counterintelligence Command (Bangcheop) of the Republic of Korea Armed Forces was confirmed to have prepared for martial law in advance in November" in relation to the December 3 martial law incident. Yeo In-hyung, the former Defense Counterintelligence Command commander who was suspended from duty by the Ministry of National Defense the day before, claims that he only became aware of the martial law declaration at the time it was announced.

According to Lee's office, "According to a tip-off, Bangcheop created a 'Martial Law Command-Joint Investigation Headquarters (Joint Investigation Headquarters) Operation Reference Material' before at least November 30 and reported it to former commander Yeo." The reference material reportedly contained descriptions of the legal frameworks and key issues related to four topics: ▲martial law declaration ▲martial law commander/martial law command ▲joint investigation organization ▲other considerations (when martial law and integrated defense are declared simultaneously). According to Lee's office, Bangcheop examined whether the president has the authority to refuse the National Assembly's demand to lift martial law.

Yeon In-hyung, former Commander of the ROK Military Counterintelligence Command (center back row), is listening to the remarks of Lee Ki-heon, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, at the full meeting of the Intelligence Committee held at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul, on the morning of the 7th. Photo by the National Assembly Press Photographers Association

It was also reported that among the key issues reviewed by Bangcheop was whether the martial law commander could be appointed from among the chiefs of the Army, Navy, or Air Force. During the December 3 martial law incident, President Yoon appointed Army Chief of Staff Park An-su as the martial law commander instead of Kim Myung-soo, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), who is the highest-ranking officer in the military. Lee's office explained that it appears President Yoon had reviewed Park's appointment as martial law commander in advance.

Bangcheop is also known to have reviewed in advance the situation of declaring 'martial law' and 'integrated defense' simultaneously. 'Integrated defense' refers to a defense system that integrates various national defense elements and unifies the command system to respond to threats when an enemy infiltrates or provokes. Lee's office stated that Bangcheop checked what restrictions it would face if martial law and integrated defense were declared at the same time.

Lee criticized, "The reference material is evidence that Bangcheop thoroughly prepared for martial law in advance," and added, "Since it was created at least a week before martial law and reported to former commander Yeo, it reveals that former commander Yeo's claim is a lie." He further stated, "Military personnel involved in the martial law, including former commander Yeo who shamelessly keeps lying, should be immediately arrested."

Former commander Yeo stated at the National Assembly on the previous day and the day of the announcement that he was completely unaware of the martial law in advance. When meeting reporters that day, he said regarding the arrest target list, "I have made so many calls that I don't remember," and "Honestly, I don't even remember the list."