Former S. Korean Joint Chiefs chief Kim Myung‑soo indicted over martial‑law rebellion

On Dec 3, 2024 the 2nd comprehensive special prosecution team led by Kwong Chang‑young announced that former Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman Kim Myung‑soo was indicted without detention on charges of "rebellion important mission" and "failure to properly report a crime" for allegedly aiding an illegal emergency martial law (비상계엄) declared earlier that year.

Prosecutors say Kim ignored senior staff’s repeated recommendations to withdraw troops that had been deployed over the parliament and instead issued a short order prioritising martial‑law duties, sent joint staff to the martial‑law command and thus helped sustain the illegal state of emergency. Three other senior military officials – Lee Jae‑sik, Jeong Jin‑pal and Kim Heung‑joon – were arrested and charged on the same counts, while three additional officers were found not indicted.

The special prosecution team also summoned former Seoul Central District Prosecutor Lee Chang‑su for a third time to investigate allegations that he had facilitated a "cover‑up" in the probe of First Lady Kim Keun‑hee, concerning possible manipulation of evidence and a non‑prosecution decision in the Deutsche Motors stock‑price‑rigging case.

Kim’s legal team condemned the indictment as based on a one‑sided legal interpretation, while prosecutors argue the charges reflect serious breaches of constitutional order.