The National Police Agency Secures Complete Radio Records of Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency During Emergency Martial Law

The National Police Agency's National Investigation Headquarters (NIH) has secured the entire radio communication records of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency at the time President Yoon Seok-yeol declared martial law.

National Police Agency Headquarters. Photo by Asia Economy DB

On the 7th, the NIH Security Investigation Division announced that it had voluntarily obtained the entire radio communication records to identify where the order to control access to the National Assembly originated.

The NIH formed a dedicated investigation team to probe the 'December 3 Martial Law Incident.' As of the 5th, there are a total of four reported cases related to martial law. The complainants include 59 individuals such as members of the Democratic Party, the Party for Justice and Innovation, the Progressive Party, and the chairman of the Korean Confederation of Trade Unions. The charges involve rebellion and abuse of authority under the Criminal Act, as well as rebellion under the Military Criminal Act.

The NIH voluntarily obtained the mobile phones of Police Chief Jo Ji-ho, Seoul Metropolitan Police Chief Kim Bong-sik, and National Assembly Security Commander Mok Hyun-tae the day before. Earlier, on the 5th, Democratic Party lawmaker Yang Bu-nam requested at the National Assembly's Public Administration and Security Committee plenary session that Woo Jong-su, head of the National Investigation Headquarters of the National Police Agency, apply for search warrants to seize the mobile phones of the Police Chief, Seoul Metropolitan Police Chief, and other related personnel.

Chief Jo responded, "I received instructions regarding National Assembly control via mobile phone from the martial law commander," and Chief Kim stated, "I was contacted through the head of the Security Bureau at headquarters. I also spoke with Chief Jo by mobile phone," adding, "Instructions to the National Assembly Security Commander were given via radio."