Police Chief Jo Ji-ho and Seoul Chief Kim Bong-sik Detained on "Evidence Tampering Concerns"

Police Chief Jo Ji-ho and Seoul Police Chief Kim Bong-sik, who are suspected of involvement in the 'December 3 Emergency Martial Law,' have been arrested.

Commissioner Jo Ji-ho of the National Police Agency and Commissioner Kim Bong-sik of the Seoul Metropolitan Police Agency. Photo by Yonhap News

Nam Cheon-gyu, the chief judge in charge of warrants at the Seoul Central District Court, held a pre-arrest detention hearing (warrant review) on the 13th for Chief Jo and Chief Kim, who are accused of engaging in important duties related to insurrection, and issued arrest warrants citing "concerns over evidence tampering."

On the evening of the 3rd, around 7 p.m., just before the announcement of martial law, Chief Jo and Chief Kim met President Yoon Seok-yeol at the presidential residence in Samcheong-dong, Jongno-gu, Seoul, where they received an A4 document titled 'Control Agencies' and others.

They are suspected of ordering a complete ban on access to the National Assembly after the declaration of martial law, blocking lawmakers heading to the National Assembly to vote on lifting the martial law. Chief Jo is also accused of ordering personnel assignments at the National Election Commission.

Earlier, the Police Special Investigation Headquarters imposed a travel ban on Chief Jo and Chief Kim on the 10th and urgently arrested them the following day. Currently, Deputy Commissioner Lee Ho-young and Life Safety Deputy Commissioner Choi Hyun-seok are acting in their respective positions.