Ex-spy chief Cho Tae-yong arrested for dereliction of duty during martial law declaration, as prosecutors expand case against former president Yoon
SEOUL: Former South Korean spy chief Cho Tae-yong has been arrested for dereliction of duty related to last year’s martial law declaration.
The Seoul Central District Court granted the arrest warrant on Wednesday following a prosecution request.
“The outcome of the review is… the issuance of the warrant on the risk of evidence destruction,” the court stated.
“The primary charge is dereliction of duty,” it added.
Prosecutors allege Cho failed to report the martial law declaration to parliament despite understanding its illegality.
The former National Intelligence Service head is also accused of making false statements.
“The possibility that he was involved in the insurrection has increased,” prosecutor Park Ji-young told reporters last week.
Cho’s arrest follows additional indictments against former president Yoon Suk Yeol for aiding the enemy.
Prosecutors allege Yoon ordered drone flights over North Korea to support his martial law plan.
North Korea claimed last year that South Korea flew drones to drop propaganda leaflets over Pyongyang.
Park confirmed her team had “filed charges of benefiting the enemy in general and of abuse of power” against the former president.
Yoon sparked political crisis in December by sending armed soldiers to parliament during his martial law declaration.
The effort failed, and Yoon was detained in a January dawn raid.
He remains on trial for insurrection and other offences linked to the martial law declaration.
His wife, Kim Keon Hee, is also in custody facing corruption charges including stock manipulation.
This marks the first time a former South Korean first couple has been detained together. – AFP
