Generals Involved in Martial Law Whose Testimonies Contradict Each Other

Park Denies Ordering Additional Troop Deployment for Capital Defense Command
Operations Officer Testifies: "Received Order to Check Available Personnel"

Military officials involved in the December 3 emergency martial law incident gave conflicting testimonies at the National Assembly. Park An-su, the Army Chief of Staff who is currently under indictment and detention, appeared on the 14th before the National Assembly's "Special Committee for the Investigation of the Truth Behind the Declaration of Martial Law and the Charge of Rebellion under the Yoon Seok-yeol Government."

Former Army Chief of Staff Park An-su is attending the plenary meeting of the "Special Committee for the National Investigation on the Truth Behind the Insurrection Charges through the Declaration of Martial Law by the Yoon Suk-yeol Administration" held at the National Assembly on the 14th. Photo by Kim Hyun-min

Park, who was appointed martial law commander at the time, was asked by Kim Byung-joo, a member of the Democratic Party of Korea, "Why did the martial law commander instruct the Capital Defense Command (Sudo Bangwi Saryeongbu) at 2 a.m. on December 4 to check for additional troop deployments?" Park responded, "I never gave such an order."

When asked why he tried to identify additional deployed personnel after the emergency martial law was declared on December 3 and after the National Assembly passed the lifting of martial law around 1 a.m. on December 4, Park answered that he never did so.

However, when Representative Kim asked a lieutenant colonel who served as the operations officer of the Capital Defense Command, "Did you receive an order from the martial law commander around 2 a.m. on December 4 to identify additional reinforcements?" the officer replied, "I was ordered to check the available personnel for deployment."

There were also criticisms that the agency report materials submitted by the units mobilized under martial law to the special committee were insufficient. The Defense Intelligence Command reported preparations for personnel deployment to the Central Election Commission in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province, noting that vehicles were prepared "around 10 p.m. on December 3."

However, Democratic Party member Ahn Kyu-baek pointed out, "I understand that the Defense Intelligence Command prepared vehicles around 5 p.m. on December 3," and criticized, "The Defense Intelligence Command is making false reports. The agency report is not thorough."

On the same day, Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Kim Myung-soo expressed opposition to allegations linking the martial law incident and past military activities to "foreign intervention." Kim said, "There is talk about 'North wind' or foreign intervention, but there is absolutely no preparation, plan, or evidence of such," adding, "Using the term 'foreign intervention' fundamentally disrespects the military."

He continued, "If you talk about the 'North wind,' everything can be overshadowed by that," and said, "Military operations should never be subject to investigation or prosecution but must exist within the commander's judgment and decision-making domain. This is very regrettable."

However, in response to opposition lawmakers' remarks that "as the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, you should first apologize for the military's involvement in this rebellion incident," Kim said, "Regarding that matter, I sincerely apologize to the public for causing disappointment."